Mass. Man Indicted on Insurance Fraud Charges

A Mattapan, Massachusetts man was indicted recently on charges he falsely procured insurance under a false identity, reported a false motor vehicle accident and lied under oath.

Raymond DeGraca, 56, was charged with Identity Theft (10 counts), Perjury (4 counts), False Name/Social Security to Law Enforcement (2 counts), Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud, Larceny Over $250, Attempted Larceny, and Making False Statement on a Motor Vehicle Registration Application.

According to authorities, in October 2002, in an effort to obtain auto insurance despite having a suspended license, DeGraca allegedly assumed the identity of his brother without his permission. DeGraca allegedly used a Rhode Island license containing his brother’s information and DeGraca’s picture. DeGraca allegedly used the identification to falsely register his own car and procure an insurance policy in Revere, MA.

In March 2003, DeGraca allegedly submitted a false motor vehicle accident claim to his insurer, Amica Mutual Insurance Company, for an alleged accident in Revere. According to authorities, DeGraca used his brother’s name to falsely claim that his vehicle was hit by another driver. The other driver involved in the alleged accident reported the incident to their insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance, indicating that no accident had occurred. According to authorities, following the alleged accident DeGraca and one of his passengers filed personal injury claims and sought medical treatment.

In June 2003, investigators from Liberty Mutual Insurance determined that DeGraca’s claim was false. During the investigation of this incident, Amica Mutual Insurance Company discovered DeGraca’s true identity based on the result of a fingerprint comparison to an unrelated auto accident in April 2003. All insurance claims filed by DeGraca in regards to the alleged accident were ultimately dismissed by both insurers.

Further investigation revealed that while on probation for an unrelated case DeGraca allegedly used his brother’s identity and social security number on separate occasions in Roxbury and Dorchester District Courts in 2004 and 2005. DeGraca is now being charged with perjury, providing a false name to law enforcement, and identity theft in regards to these separate court appearances.

DeGraca is scheduled to be arraigned on Sept. 5 in Suffolk Superior Court.