All in the Family: Husband, Wife and Daughter Indicted for Insurance Fraud and Bribery

Three members of a New Jersey family have been charged for their alleged roles in a homeowners’ insurance fraud scheme involving an Assurance Insurance Co. claims examiner that generated more than $100,000 in fraudulent payments.

Attorney General Jennifer Davenport reported that Donald Feldman, 65, and his wife, Carolyn Feldman, 61, both of West Deptford, face charges including commercial bribery, insurance fraud, and theft by deception. Their daughter Brittany Feldman, 34, also faces charges.

According to documents filed in this case, the Feldmans conspired with John Philbin, a former claims examiner with Assurant who approved the Feldman family’s fraudulent insurance claims in exchange for payments from the Feldmans.

According to court documents, between April 12, 2022 and May 15, 2023, Donald Feldman worked with Carolyn Feldman and Philbin to create or submit approximately 10 fictitious Assurant insurance claims.

In one example, Donald Feldman obtained an Assurant policy for a property in Sicklerville owned by another individual and submitted multiple claims under that policy. The claims allegedly included fabricated invoices for emergency mitigation or restoration work they claimed was done by American Construction & Restoration. Prosecutors said searches of New Jersey business records found no filings or registrations for that business.

After submitting the claims to Assurant, Donald Feldman notified Philbin, who approved approximately $108,000 in payments to Donald Feldman for work that was never performed. Approximately 20% of those payments went to Philbin for his role in the scheme.

Carolyn Feldman allegedly coordinated claim information and payments with Philbin, cashed Assurant checks, and delivered portions of the proceeds to him.

All three Feldmans were also charged in connection with two allegedly fraudulent claims involving a property in Mantua that Brittany Feldman neither owned nor occupied. Brittany Feldman allegedly worked with her parents and Philbin to obtain insurance payments for purported windstorm damage and restoration work at that property using fabricated invoices for work purportedly performed by Feldman Construction, a business in which she held an ownership interest.

Carolyn Feldman allegedly helped coordinate those claims and personally reported one using Brittany Feldman’s telephone. Philbin approved approximately $30,000 in payments directed to Brittany Feldman for work that was never performed. Approximately 20% of the proceeds went to Philbin, according to prosecutors.

The charges and allegations contained in the indictment against the Feldmans are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.