New Jersey Officer Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud

A Newark, N.J, police officer has admitted filing a false insurance claim after his vehicle was declared stolen and found torched.

The Essex County prosecutor’s office says Johnathan R. Taylor pleaded guilty Friday to insurance fraud.

The 42-year-old Plainfield resident was a Newark police officer for 17 years. Under his plea agreement, the state will recommend a probationary sentence but Taylor must resign from the force.

Investigators say Taylor reported his Toyota Sequoia SUV stolen on March 1. Newark police officers discovered the SUV set on fire in Newark. Taylor admitted to filing a false claim with his insurance carrier.

Prosecutors say the car had over 100,000 miles on it and Taylor was facing expensive repairs and had high monthly payments at more than 20 percent interest.