Robert Napolitano, Insurance Fraud, New Jersey 2014

Grimy Times Exclusive: Insurance Adjuster Pleads Guilty to $900,000 Scheme

Newark, NJ – In a shocking turn of events, Robert Napolitano, 54, of Clifton, New Jersey, the owner of Dawn to Dusk LLC, pleaded guilty to using the mails to facilitate a scheme to defraud the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and various insurance companies of at least $900,000, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

Napolitano’s guilty plea comes after he reached an agreement with Gerardo Blasi, 56, of Clifton, New Jersey, who was employed as claims manager for the NJTA. As part of the agreement, Napolitano was responsible for evaluating the damage caused by insured motorists, creating an estimate of the cost to repair the damage, and negotiating with the insurance company to arrive at the repair amount.

However, on several occasions, Napolitano and Blasi simply kept all of the proceeds, defrauding the NJTA and various insurance companies of approximately $900,000.

The charge to which Napolitano pleaded guilty carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine. Sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2015.

U.S. Attorney Fishman credited special agents from the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Aaron T. Ford in Newark, with the investigation leading to today’s plea. He also thanked the N.J. Turnpike Authority, under the direction of Veronique Hakim, for its cooperation during the investigation.

Blasi pleaded guilty on December 11, 2013, and is due to be sentenced on November 12, 2014.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney David L. Foster of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, Special Prosecution’s Division.

Defense counsel: John Yauch Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

Mandatory Facts:

Defendant: Robert Napolitano, 54, of Clifton, New Jersey

Criminal Charges: Using the mails to facilitate a scheme to defraud the New Jersey Turnpike Authority (NJTA) and various insurance companies of at least $900,000.

City and State: Newark, New Jersey

Exact Date: Not specified, however, the charges were filed in October 2011, and the sentencing is scheduled for January 8, 2015.

Sentence or Outcome: Maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine.

Dollar Amounts: At least $900,000

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