Target Targeted in Fake Slip and Fall

An Ocean County woman has been indicted for allegedly making a false “slip and fall” claim to an insurance company, according to Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor.

According to Toms River News and Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi, Michelle Trapp was charged with third-degree insurance fraud and fourth-degree falsifying records.

The grand jury indictment alleges that on November 4, 2009 Trapp falsely represented to Target Corporation that she had sustained an injury after falling in the parking lot of their store in Stafford Township. It is also alleged that she signed a Guest Incident Report on November 4^th, all the while knowing that it contained false statements or information that was being used in order to deceive Target.

An investigation by the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor revealed that the Stafford Township Target store had surveillance cameras in the parking lot which recorded Trapp parking her car and walking into Target, allegedly without incident.

Assigned to the investigation were Detective Natalie L. Brotherston and Deputy Attorney General Geraldine D. Zidow, who presented the case to the Ocean County grand jury. Acting Prosecutor Chillemi thanked Sedgwick Claims Management Services for its assistance in the investigation.

Third-degree fraud crimes carry with them a maximum sentence of five years in prison and a fine of $15,000, while fourth degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in prison and a fine of $10,000.

An indictment is merely an accusation, as the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.