A Hudson County couple, their son, and a car dealership manager, have been charged with conspiracy, insurance fraud and other charges for allegedly falsifying a car loan application in order to buy a $139,000 Bentley and then torching it and reporting it stolen to an insurance company.
A Hudson County couple, their son, and a car dealership manager, have been charged with conspiracy, insurance fraud and other charges for allegedly falsifying a car loan application in order to buy a $139,000 Bentley and then torching the car and reporting it stolen to an insurance company.
"These defendants are accused of pulling out all stops to line their own pockets," said Acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman. "It is especially distasteful that the alleged criminal behavior was a family affair. This kind of blatant fraud against banks and insurance companies will be prosecuted vigorously by the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor."
Those charged are Chester Jarzabek, 63; his wife Anna Jarzabek, 61; and their son John Jarzabek, 26, all of Harrison. They allegedly purchased the vehicle at D.I.B. Leasing in Teterboro. John Jarzabek was a salesman at the now defunct dealership, officials said yesterday.
The general manager of the dealership, Hector Marquez, 43, of Monroe, was also indicted as a conspirator in the alleged scheme. The dealership bookkeeper Michael Ricciardi, 53, of Wayne, was charged with theft, officials said yesterday.
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Chester and Anna Jarzabek purchased the car and conspired with their son and Marquez to burn it for insurance money, according to the indictment. The four are also charged with falsifying a car loan application and providing phony documents to inflate their income in order to get financing for the luxury car. Ricciardi was charged with conspiracy in connection to the alleged fraudulent loan application, officials said.
"The indictment of these alleged co-conspirators clearly illustrates that individuals who engage in these types of illegal activities will be held accountable for their actions," said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Christopher Iu. "We will not tolerate criminals who manipulate the system for their own selfish greed."
In addition to the second-degree conspiracy and insurance fraud charges, all three Jarzabeks and Marquez were indicted on two counts of second-degree theft by deception. The four, along with Ricciardi also were indicted on two charges of third-degree theft by deception.
Second degree charges carry a possible sentence of five to 10 years in prison upon conviction. Third degree offenses carry a possible prison term of three to five years in prison upon conviction, although there is a presumption of non-incarceration for first time offenders.