Phoenixville attorney pleads guilty to fraud

Michael B. Wolf admits being part of scheme in Philadelphia area that defrauded insurance companies.

PHILADELPHIA » A Phoenixville attorney has pleaded guilty to charges involving a Philadelphia-based auto insurance fraud scheme.

Michael B. Wolf, 56, entered his guilty plea to counts of insurance fraud and conspiracy before Philadelphia Common Pleas Court Judge Jeffrey P. Minehart on Tuesday. He was scheduled to go to trial for the charges on Wednesday.

Wolf pleaded guilty to one count of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud. Minehart accepted the plea that was negotiated between Philadelphia Assistant District Attorney Vicki Markowitz and Wolf’s attorney, Brian J. McMonagle of Philadelphia, and sentenced Wolf to the agreed-on two years probation and a $5,000 fine.

According to reports, Wolf was charged in 2011 with 10 others in a scheme in which insurance claims for damaged vehi-

cles were inflated by workers at University Collision Centers in collusion with a Philadelphia police officer and several insur- ance appraisers. Prosecutors said Wolf advised Edward Hildebrandt, the owner of University Collision Centers, in the fraud scheme and also that Hildebrandt filed several bogus personal injury claims with Wolf’s help.

Prosecutors said the scheme cost auto insurers millions during the four years it operated.

Hildebrandt and most of the other defendants have a l re a dy pleaded g uilt y, although three are awaiting t r ial, i ncluding Gary Cottrell, 47, the former officer in- volved, who is alleged to have steered accident v ic t i ms t o Universit y Collision.

Also awaiting trial in the state case are insurance appraisers Addaie Amankwaaw, 34, and Cheryl Stanton, 58, both of Philadelphia.