N.J. Man Burned in Arson Scam

New Jersey 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 Middlesex County man with attempted theft resulting from an apartment fire.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, David Guyton, 45, of Edison, Middlesex County was charged with attempted theft by deception (3rd degree). If convicted, Guyton faces up to five years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $15,000. Guyton also faces possible civil insurance fraud fines pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

The indictment alleges that between Oct. 13, 1999 and Aug. 15, 2001, Guyton submitted an insurance claim worth more than $7,000 for property that was damaged in an Oct. 13, 1999 arson fire at a rental property that he owned on Goodwin Avenue, Newark. Among the items were eight “new” appliances, including four floor model refrigerators and four floor model gas ranges.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the appliances were actually several years old, and many of the ranges had dirt and cooking grease on them.

The investigation further revealed that Guyton falsified receipts in order to inflate the property insurance claim.