BUFFALO, NY Oct 42012—U.S. Attorney William J. Hochul, Jr. announced today that formerBuffalo Police Officer Johnnie Fritz, 49, of
Assistant U.S. Attorney Russell T. Ippolito, Jr., who ishandling the case, stated that between April 20, 2009 and June 9, 2009, Fritzconspired with another individual to defraud State Farm Automobile InsuranceCompany by inflating a claim for automobile insurance policy proceeds. Thedefendant assisted in making a claim with State Farm following the theft of theco-conspirator’s automobile, a 2003 Cadillac CTS. The claim included twofraudulent receipts, one falsely indicated that new tire rims had been added tothe vehicle and the other falsely indicated that a new muffler had recentlybeen installed on the vehicle. The two false receipts inflated the value of thevehicle by more than $3,000.
The defendant made three other unrelated false claims forautomobile insurance policy proceeds involving three other vehicles. Inaddition to the false claims for insurance, Fritz also abused his position as aBuffalo Police officer. In October 2009, the defendant unlawfully opened a NewYork State Department of Motor Vehicles account, enabling him to search DMVdatabases at no charge. Only law enforcement officials can open a DMV no-feeaccount like the one opened by Fritz.
The loss to the DMV was $6,400, and the loss to theinsurance companies was $57,310.35, all totaling $63,710.35.
The plea is the culmination of an investigation by the NYSDepartment of Motor Vehicles, under the direction of Commissioner BarbaraFiala; the Buffalo Police Department, under the direction of CommissionerDaniel Derenda; the NYS Department of Taxation and Finance, under the directionof Commissioner Thomas Mattox; and the Federal Bureau of Investigation, underthe direction of Special Agent in Charge Christopher M. Piehota.
Sentencing is scheduled for January 24, 2012, at 9:00 a.m.before Judge Skretny.
Source:FBI
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