4 locals busted for insurance fraud

Four people from Chester County were among 28 men and women charged recently by the state Attorney General’s Office for insurance fraud, the office announced Thursday.

The arrests were part of a March sweep conducted by the office’s Insurance Fraud Section, the largest law enforcement en-

tity in Pennsylvania with authority to investigate and prosecute cases of insurance fraud. The total potential fraud involved in these unrelated cases is more than $1.1 million.

“Insurance fraud impacts policyholders and consumers across Pennsylvania,” Attorney General Josh Shapiro said in a press release. “Insurance fraud is a serious crime that drives up costs and premiums for everyday Pennsylvanians.

“Our office’s Insurance Fraud Section has a strong track record of investigating and prosecuting these cases,” Shapiro added. “We will aggressively prosecute anyone who breaks the law by providing false information to an insurance company.”

The charges announced today involve some of the most common types of insurance fraud. The cases are not related to one another, and all are pending resolution in Common Pleas Court. Those arrested include: • Kimberly Ann Horne, 47, of the first block of Linmar Lane, Upper Oxford,

charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, perjury and false swearing.

According to investigators, Horne suffered a hand injury in 2014 when a sign fell on her in a store that was insured by Donegal Insurance. As she filed a civil lawsuit seeking damages for her claimed injuries, Horne allegedly provided false statements about the nature and extent of her injuries. Investigators said they confirmed that Horne, who claimed she had not worked since the accident and was unable to use her right hand, was in fact

working as a caretaker and nursing assistant.

• Debra Gail Rabin, 63, of the 1000 block of Debbie Lane, East Pikeland, charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception, criminal use of a communication facility and providing false information to law enforcement authorities.

According to a criminal complaint filed in support of the charges, Rabin provided false information to her insurance company and law enforcement authorities claiming that items were stolen from her vehicle when it was repossessed. She also submitted a fraudulent invoice to her insurance company to support

her false claim, investigators reported in the criminal complaint.

• Samuel D. Carbo Jr., 58, of the 100 block of Highland Drive, West Brandywine charged with 1,190 counts of failure of employer to carry workman’s compensation insurance.

An investigation confirmed that Carbo, who operated a trucking company based in Coatesville, failed to maintain workers’ compensation insurance for his employees. Investigators reported that Carbo had multiple contracts with the U.S. Postal Service to transport mail.

• Darryl Brown, 34, of the 1300 block of Valley Drive, East Goshen, is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, criminal attempt to commit theft by deception and criminal use of a communication facility.

According to investigators, Brown was involved in an automobile accident at a time when his automobile insurance policy had lapsed. Brown called to obtain a new policy. Later on the same day, he allegedly made false statements about the accident to his insurance company, stating it occurred after he had obtained the new policy.

All four are free on bail pending preliminary hearings later this month and in May.