Newburyport Contractor Scammed Insurers for $2M

BOSTON – A brazen scheme to bilk home repair insurance providers out of over two million dollars has landed a Newburyport man in federal prison. Christian Decristofaro, 40, was sentenced today to two years behind bars for orchestrating a complex fraud that preyed on the system meant to help homeowners in times of crisis.

U.S. District Court Judge Indira Talwani delivered the sentence, which also includes three years of supervised release following incarceration. The Court didn’t stop there – Decristofaro was ordered to pay a staggering $2,196,323 in restitution to the victim insurance provider, and the same amount was ordered forfeited. The sentencing marks the culmination of a federal investigation into his fraudulent activities.

According to court documents, Decristofaro operated NE Premier Home Services LLC (NE Premier), a company he used as a front for his illegal operation. He enrolled NE Premier as a contractor with a major home repair insurance provider, then began creating fictitious homeowners using false identities. These phantom homeowners were then enrolled in insurance plans, setting the stage for fabricated emergency claims.

The scheme unfolded between approximately October 2020 and June 2023. Decristofaro would report entirely made-up home emergencies to the insurance company, requesting that NE Premier be assigned to handle the nonexistent repairs. He then submitted bills for work that was *never* performed, effectively stealing over $2.1 million from the insurer. The audacity of the operation speaks to a calculated disregard for the law and the victims impacted by his greed.

In March 2025, Decristofaro pleaded guilty to an Information charging him with wire fraud, acknowledging his role in the elaborate deception. The evidence presented by prosecutors painted a clear picture of a meticulously planned and executed fraud, designed to enrich Decristofaro at the expense of a legitimate insurance provider.

“This sentencing sends a clear message: defrauding insurance companies is a serious crime with serious consequences,” stated United States Attorney Leah B. Foley. Federal Bureau of Investigation Special Agent in Charge Ted E. Docks added that the FBI remains dedicated to investigating and dismantling these types of fraudulent schemes. Assistant U.S. Attorneys Meghan C. Cleary and Leslie A. Wright of the Criminal Division were responsible for the prosecution of this case. The investigation highlights the ongoing effort to combat white-collar crime in Massachusetts and beyond.