N.J. Man Pleads Guilty to Fraud Charge

New Jersey Attorney General Peter Harvey announced that a Hudson County man has pled guilty to theft by deception for conspiring to use false identities to fraudulently obtain more than $2,000 in health insurance benefits.

According to Vaughn McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Michael Daye, 49, Clifton Place, Jersey City, pled guilty before Hudson County Superior Court Judge Edward T. O’Connor on Aug. 5 to charges contained in a Hudson County Grand Jury indictment returned on April 2.

The indictment charged Daye with one count of third degree theft by deception. Also charged in the indictment was Darryl Walker, 50, Palisades Ave., Jersey City. Walker pleaded not guilty and his case is pending in Hudson County Superior Court. Daye is scheduled to appear before Judge O’Connor on Oct. 9 for sentencing.

At the guilty plea hearing, Daye reportedly admitted that from June through October, 1999, he assumed Walker’s identity in order to obtain health insurance for medical treatments rendered by Khaleidoscope Health Care/Parkside Medical Center. Walker was insured by Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield through his employer, Jersey City Medical Center.

As a result of the reported fraudulent activity, Khaleidoscope submitted over $2,000 in medical claims to Horizon Blue Cross/Blue Shield on behalf of Daye. Horizon paid $1,564 on the claims before referring the case to the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor for investigation.