Attorney Charged with Fraud, Perjury, Attempted Theft

A Montgomery County Pennsylvania attorney has found himself in quite a bit of hot water after authorities allege he was caught playing after filing a six figure claim for personal injuries following an auto accident.

According to the press release, agents from the Pennsylvania Attorney General’s Insurance Fraud Section have filed criminal charges against Edward T. Feierstein, 73. He is accused of making false statements under oath in connection with his own injury claim following a traffic accident to support a lawsuit seeking $125,000 in damages.

The criminal complaint states that Feierstein claimed injuries from a 2006 traffic accident left him unable to engage in several physical activities, including playing tennis and exercising at a gym.  After the accident, Feierstein submitted a claim to the other motorist’s insurance company and later filed a lawsuit seeking damages.

Attorney General Linda Kelly stated that, in his lawsuit, Feierstein gave sworn deposition testimony that his injury prevented him from participating in various sports and other activities and he testified that he had not engaged –even once, in any of those activities since the date of the accident.

In fact, video surveillance conducted after the accident, but before Feierstein gave that testimony, clearly showed Feierstein playing tennis, using weights and other workout equipment and engaging in vigorous exercises at the gym on multiple occasions.

According to the criminal complaint, gym records also contradict Feierstein’s testimony that he had not worked out in any gym since the May 2006 accident. Those gym records indicate that Feierstein used a gym located in Bala Cynwyd on numerous occasions, stretching from 2006 to 2011.

Kelly noted that Feierstein is charged with one count each of insurance fraud, perjury and attempted theft by deception, all third-degree felonies. If he’s convicted, all those charges could add up to 21 years in prison and a fine of $45,000.

Feierstein is also charged with one count of false swearing, a second-degree misdemeanor that is punishable by up to two years in prison and a $5,000 fine.

The criminal charges were filed in December of 2011 and a preliminary hearing is pending before Norristown Magisterial District Judge Margaret A. Hunsicker.