N.J. Insurance Fraud Doesn’t Require Payment

A defendant can be convicted under New Jersey’s insurance fraud statute even in cases in which the insurance carrier was not induced by a false statement to pay a damage claim, a unanimous New Jersey Supreme Court held Jan. 19 (State v. Goodwin, 2016 BL 12567, N.J., A-20, 1/19/16).

Under the relevant statute, the essence of the crime is the making of a false statement that has the capacity to influence the insurance company in determining whether to pay a claim, the court said. Therefore, the defendant’s success or failure in getting the money is irrelevant.

Robert ...