Long Branch Insurance Adjuster Admits Fraud

The sole proprietor of a Long Branch claims-adjustment company will dissolve the firm and pay more than $15,000 in fines and penalties - about the same amo8nt he wheedled from New Jersey Manufacturers Insurance Company (NJM) in fraudluent filings.

According to information from the office of acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman, Joseph Shammah, 40, pleaded guilty last week to charges filed against his Northeast Claims Group LLC, in the aftermath of an undercover sting operation. He also relinquishes his public adjuster's license and enters pre-trial intervention.

Shammah admitted reaping about $15,452 by submitting bogus damage claims between April 1 and August 3, 2012.

The financial penalties amount to $7,500 in fines and $8,000 in civil penalties and surcharges.