AUGUST 10, 2006

HUSBAND, WIFE AND SON CHARGED IN INSURANCE FRAUD SCAM  

TRENTON -- Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph L. Bocchini Jr. announced that a Monroe Township businessman along with his wife and son were charged by his Insurance Fraud Unit with cheating an insurance company in excess of $75,000 by submitting fraudulent disability claims. 

According to Prosecutor Bocchini, Russell Bowen, 58, and his wife Sandra Bowen, 53, both of Regal Court, Monroe Township, along with their son Michael Bowen, 33, of Yellowstone Lane, Howell, were each charged via a county grand jury indictment with two counts of theft by deception, two counts of insurance fraud, five counts of falsifying or tampering with a record, two counts of tampering with public records or information and one count of conspiracy.  The indictment also charged Sandra Bowen with criminal attempt to commit theft by deception.  If convicted of all charges, each defendant faces up to 10 years in prison and a fine of up to $100,000. 

The indictment alleges that between January 2004 and May 2006, the Bowens conspired to make fraudulent representations to National Life of Vermont, which later became UnumProvident, and accepted possession of a number of disability checks knowing that they were obtained fraudulently.  The insurance company paid Russell Bowen in excess of $150,000.  Additionally, the indictment charges the Bowens with theft based on receiving temporary disability benefits from the State of New Jersey, Department of Labor, in excess of $500. 

Russell Bowen is the owner of the Bureau of Dangerous Goods, a Monroe company that provides training and other resources connected with the transportation of hazardous materials. 

The indictment was handed up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Andrew J. Smithson on August 9.  The defendants will be ordered to appear in court to be arraigned on the charges on a date to be determined. 

The case is being investigated by the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Insurance Fraud Unit under the direction of Sergeant Frank LaBelle with assistance from the East Windsor Township Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.  The case was referred to the Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office by UnumProvident.  Assistant Prosecutor Jeffrey Rubin presented the case to the grand jury.  Anyone with information is asked to contact the Insurance Fraud Unit at (609) 278-4859.  

Despite having been indicted, every defendant is presumed innocent until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.