N.J. Man Pleads Guilty in Auto Scam

New Jersey Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a Perth Amboy man has pleaded guilty to conspiracy for his role in an automobile insurance “give up” scheme.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown, Francisco J. Caba, 36, of Middlesex County, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Frederick DeVesa on July30 to a charge of conspiracy. When sentenced on Oct. 29, Caba faces up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000. Additionally, Caba faces a possible civil insurance fraud fine pursuant to the Insurance Fraud Prevention Act.

In pleading guilty, Caba reportedly admitted that he, along with Geuris Valdez-Fernandez, a co-defendant who pleaded guilty to a criminal Accusation on March 14, 2003, submitted a phony automobile insurance theft claim to The Newark Insurance Company – Robert Plan of New Jersey Corporation. The Middlesex County Grand Jury indictment returned on May 7, charged that Caba took Valdez-Fernandez’s 1998 Toyota Camry so that he (Valdez-Fernandez) could submit a phony automobile theft claim to The Newark Insurance Company.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Caba, as part of the conspiracy, turned the car over a third individual who was working undercover for investigators from the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

The Toyota was ultimately reported stolen by Valdez-Fernandez to the New York City Police Department.