Two Delaware County, New York residents whose home was destroyed in a March 2007 fire were arrested on charges that they forged receipts in an unsuccessful attempt to obtain an additional $30,400 as part of their insurance settlement. Michael A. Kerwin Jr., 32, and Cheryl A. Catuzza, 41, both of Walton, were arrested by Senior Investigator Chris Lehenbauer of the Frauds Bureau of the New York State Insurance Department, assisted by Senior Investigator Karl Vagts of the Delaware County Sheriff’s Office.
Both Kerwin and Catuzza are charged with felony insurance fraud. They could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison if convicted.
According to Lehenbauer, Kerwin and Catuzza filed a claim with Broome Cooperative Insurance Company for contents damaged or destroyed in the fire and were paid $37,000. Investigators said the defendants also sought payment of $30,400 for items they supposedly purchased to replace additional property lost in the fire. Authorities allege these replacement items were never purchased.
Kerwin and Catuzza were released in their own recognizance following their arraignment. They are scheduled to re-appear in Village of Walton Court on Sept. 11.
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1 comment:
It just keeps getting worse, this is the same thing that just happend in San Diego county. I was reading the website of one of the bigger felony lawyers in San Diego and they were describing it as a sentence that carries to small of a punishment. I feel the same way, they should lock these criminals up and throw away the key.
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