Three Charged in N.J. With Concocting Fake ‘Jump In’ Motor Vehicle Accident

New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that an Essex County woman and two Philadelphia men have been charged with concocting a fraudulent motor vehicle accident “jump in” scheme designed to collect insurance claim monies. The classic “jump in” scheme involves inflating and filing fraudulent claims reporting that additional persons not in the accident were none-the-less injured.

According to Vaughn McKoy, director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Nicole A. Barker, 20, of Essex County, Charles Gladney, 40, and David Scott, 26, both of Philadelphia, were charged via a State Grand Jury indictment with conspiracy, Health Care Claims Fraud, theft, and falsification of records.

Scott was charged with conspiracy to commit Health Care Claims Fraud (2nd degree), Health Care Claims Fraud (2nd degree), theft by deception (3rd degree) and falsification of records (4th degree). Barker and Gladney were charged with conspiracy to commit Health Care Claims fraud (2nd degree). A second degree crime carries a maximum penalty of up to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. A third degree crime carries a penalty of up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while a fourth degree crime carries a maximum penalty of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, the defendants face possible civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

Gooden Brown said the indictment alleges that between March 17 and May 1, 2002, Barker, who had been involved in a motor vehicle accident in Philadelphia, conspired with Scott and Gladney to make it appear to the police and the insurance company that both Barker and Scott were passengers in Barker’s car when the accident occurred. Gladney, a tow truck driver, supported Barker and Scott’s false claim about being injured in the automobile accident.

The indictment was handed up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Charles Delehey on March 2. The case will be assigned to the Monmouth County Superior Court for trial. The defendants will be ordered to appear in court for arraignment and bail on a date to be determined.