EASTERN NEWS ZONE......

A Columbia County, New York woman has been arrested for cashing $5,599 in disability checks mailed to her sister who died more than two years ago, the New York State Insurance Department reported.

Maryann Wagoner, 33, of Niverville, was arrested by state police at Schodack following an investigation.

Wagoner is accused of failing to notify American International Group Insurance Co. that her sister had died in March 2007. Wagoner, who was her sister’s caregiver and had power of attorney, endorsed and cashed five checks mailed to the sister after her death.

Wagoner was charged with insurance fraud and falsifying business records. If convicted, she could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison.

• A New Hampshire woman was arraigned Monday in connection with allegedly embellishing several insurance claims and fraudulently collecting lost wages.
  
  
  Ana Keegan, 39, of Seabrook, formerly of Haverhill, Mass., was charged with Motor Vehicle Insurance Fraud (3 counts), Larceny over $250 (2 counts), Insurance Fraud, and Attempted Larceny.
  
  

  The Attorney General’s Office began an investigation into Keegan’s alleged activities after a referral was made by the Massachusetts Insurance Fraud Bureau (IFB). Authorities allege that in August 2002, Keegan suffered legitimate injuries from a dog biting incident and received a settlement from her insurer, State Farm Fire & Casualty Co. (State Farm). Investigators further discovered that Keegan sustained additional injuries as the result of an auto accident in February 2003, at which time she reported her injuries to MetLife Auto & Home Insurance Co. (MetLife). Authorities allege that in an effort to embellish her claim with MetLife, Keegan also cited the injuries she sustained from her previously settled August 2002 claim and lost wages from a non-existent job.
  
  

  In response to her claim, MetLife paid Keegan $20,000 in compensation for her total injuries and purported loss of wages as result of the accident. According to authorities, at the time of the accident Keegan claimed to be employed at John D’s Deli, a restaurant/bar that closed in July 2002, before any of the alleged injuries occurred.
  
  

  In addition, authorities allege that on three separate instances occurring on diverse dates in April 2003, September 2004, and January 2005, Keegan embellished insurance claims as the result of minor motor vehicle accidents citing the injuries, medical reports, and loss of wage claims from the August 2002 and February 2003 settlements.
  
  

  An Essex Grand Jury retuned indictments against Keegan on June 12. Keegan, arraigned in Essex Superior Court, entered a plea of not guilty and was released on personal recognizance. Keegan is due back in court on Aug. 26, for a pre-trial conference.