Pair of N.J. Men Charged in Certificate Scam

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has obtained two separate indictments charging two New Jersey men with forgery for allegedly issuing phony certificates of insurance.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Robert F. Huber, 48, of High Bridge, Hunterdon County, and Rueben Stewart, 45, last known address was in Mays Landing, Atlantic County, were charged with forgery (4th degree). Under State law, crimes of the fourth degree carry a maximum punishment of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000.

The Huber indictment was returned by the Hunterdon County Grand Jury on Aug. 10. The indictment alleges that on or about July 28, 2003, Huber committed forgery by providing a phony Certificate of Insurance in connection with the lease of rental property.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor revealed that Huber falsified the Certificate of Insurance, which was purportedly issued by the Vreeland Insurance Agency and provided to Huber by Selective Insurance Company. The indictment alleged that the Certificate of Insurance submitted by Huber was forged and therefore false.

A separate Atlantic County Grand Jury indictment charged Stewart on Aug. 12. The indictment alleged that between March 28, 2002 and June 11, 2003, Stewart, while working as a concrete contractor, at S. R. Construction, located in Mays Landing, issued a phony Certificate of Insurance to another company known as Contemporary Environmental Management of New York. Several years ago, the certificate of insurance had been properly issued by Boyarin Hourigan Blundell Insurance Agency of Toms River, Ocean County.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor reportedly revealed that Stewart altered the certificate and then gave it to Contemporary Environmental Management.