Mass. Man Offers Guilty Plea in Accident Scam

A Mattapan, Massachusetts man has pled guilty in Suffolk Superior Court to charges he falsely procured insurance under a false identity, reported a false motor vehicle accident and lied under oath.

Raymond DeGraca, 56, pled guilty to charges of 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.

Following a change of plea from not guilty to guilty, Suffolk Superior Court Judge Carol Ball sentenced DeGraca to serve two to three years in State Prison, followed by two years probation to be served upon completion of his incarceration. While on probation DeGraca must remain drug and alcohol free and attend drug and mental health counseling programs recommended by the probation department.

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

In March 2003, DeGraca submitted a false motor vehicle accident claim to his insurer, Amica Mutual Insurance Company, for a purported accident in Revere. DeGraca used his brother’s name to falsely claim that his vehicle was hit by another driver. The other driver involved in the purported accident reported the incident to her insurer, Liberty Mutual Insurance, indicating that no accident had occurred. Following the incident DeGraca and one of his passengers reportedly 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 denied by both insurers.

Further investigation revealed that while on probation for an unrelated case DeGraca used his brother’s identity and social security number on separate occasions in West Roxbury and Dorchester District Courts in 2004 and 2005. DeGraca was then charged with Perjury, Providing a False Name to Law Enforcement, and Identity Theft in regards to these separate court appearances.

Indictments were returned against DeGraca on Aug. 27, 2008. DeGraca was arraigned on Sept. 5, 2008, in Suffolk Superior Court, at which time he entered a plea of not guilty and was ordered held on $5,000 cash bail.

Today, DeGraca entered a change of plea in Suffolk Superior Court and began serving his sentence.