N.J. Man Charged with Issuing Phony Certificate

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has obtained a State Grand Jury indictment charging a Burlington County man with forgery for issuing a phony Certificate of Insurance.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Wayne Kellum, 44, of Willingboro, Burlington County, was charged with forgery (4th degree). If convicted, Kellum faces up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000. Additionally, Kellum faces possible civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Gooden-Brown said the Nov. 5 indictment alleges that in August, 2003, Kellum, who owned and operated WK Trucking, Hinsdale Lane, Willingboro, presented a fraudulent Certificate of Insurance to Marone Contracting, a general contractor located at Crownpoint Road, Thorofare, Gloucester County.

The Certificate of Insurance was required in order for Kellum to obtain a sub-contracting job. The Certificate verifies that appropriate insurance has been obtained by the small business, including liability insurance, workers compensation insurance, and related coverages. The investigation reportedly determined that the Certificate of Insurance was fraudulent in that it indicated that WK Trucking had general liability and automobile insurance from Selective Insurance Company when, in fact, it did not.

The indictment was handed up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Linda Feinberg, the Assignment Judge in charge of the State Grand Jury. The case will be venued in Gloucester County.