Public Adjuster in N.J. Admits Filing $42,000 in False Claims

Authorities in New Jersey announced that a state-licensed public adjuster pleaded guilty for defrauding clients and insurers — including a company that insured a church in Essex County — of more than $42,000 by billing for services that were never completed.

The New Jersey Office of the Attorney General said on August 13 that Sheena Clarke, 59, in Bergen County, N.J., pleaded guilty to third-degree insurance fraud.

She is scheduled for sentencing on Sept. 28. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Clarke be sentenced to probation conditioned on paying $42,519 in restitution.

She will also be ordered to surrender her public adjuster’s license. Clarke has agreed to a civil penalty of $5,125 to the Department of Banking and Insurance.

Clarke admitted that between July 31, 2005 and August 13, 2010, she submitted property damage claims to four insurance companies claiming that damage was sustained and repairs were completed at properties located in Paterson, Newark, Irvington, and East Orange when, in fact, the repairs were not completed. The insurance companies to which the claims were submitted were the Philadelphia Contributorship Insurance Company, the Germantown Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Company.

As a result of the fraud, officials said, Clarke caused $42,519 in claim monies to be obtained from the Philadelphia Contributorship Insurance Company, the Germantown Insurance Company, Liberty Mutual Insurance Company, and Western World Insurance Company.