A New Jersey family is accused of collecting approximately $138,000 from homeowners insurance claims involving homes they did not own and repair work prosecutors say never happened. An insurance company employee allegedly helped approve the claims in exchange for a share of the payments.
Donald Feldman, 65, his wife, Carolyn Feldman, 61, and their daughter, Brittany Feldman, 34, all of West Deptford, are accused of participating in fraudulent claims submitted to Assurant Insurance Company. The allegations include fabricated construction invoices, policies obtained on other people’s properties and payments approved by a claims examiner who allegedly benefited financially.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced the charges on October 14, 2026. Donald and Carolyn were arrested the previous day, while Brittany was charged by summons. All three face criminal charges and are presumed innocent unless proven guilty.
Newly obtained New Jersey Judiciary records also identify a Gloucester County Superior Court case and a December 3 appearance for both parents.
Father Allegedly Insured a Sicklerville Home He Did Not Own
Between April 12, 2022, and May 15, 2023, Donald allegedly worked with Carolyn and former Assurant claims examiner John Philbin to create or submit approximately 10 fictitious insurance claims.
One part of the alleged scheme involved a property in Sicklerville, Camden County. Donald obtained an Assurant policy for the residence even though another individual owned it, then submitted multiple claims under the policy. The supporting paperwork included fabricated estimates and invoices for emergency mitigation and restoration services supposedly performed by American Construction & Restoration.
Investigators searched New Jersey business records but found no registration or filing for a company operating under that name. Donald also allegedly submitted invoices for services at other insured properties. When investigators contacted the policyholders, they said he had not completed the work described in the claims, as also reported by New Jersey 101.5.
Insurance Examiner Allegedly Approved $108,000 for a 20% Cut
Philbin’s position at Assurant gave him access to the claims approval process. Prosecutors allege that Donald notified him after submitting the questioned claims, allowing Philbin to reassign the files to himself and authorize payments for work that had not been performed.
Philbin allegedly approved approximately $108,000 in payments to Donald and received about 20% of the proceeds in exchange for his participation.
Carolyn allegedly coordinated claim information and payment arrangements with Philbin, cashed insurance checks and delivered portions of the money to him. Prosecutors accuse her of helping move the proceeds between the family and the examiner.
Daughter’s Windstorm and Animal Claims Brought Another $30,000
Brittany allegedly obtained a separate Assurant policy for a property in Mantua that she neither owned nor occupied. Between March 6 and May 15, 2023, she worked with her parents and Philbin to submit two claims involving purported windstorm and animal damage.
The claims were supported by estimates and invoices from Feldman Construction, a family business in which Brittany held an ownership interest. Prosecutors allege that the documents represented restoration services that had not taken place.
Carolyn allegedly coordinated the submissions and personally reported one of the claims using Brittany’s telephone. Philbin assigned the files to himself and authorized approximately $30,000 in payments directed to Brittany. Carolyn then allegedly cashed checks issued to Feldman Construction and arranged for Philbin to receive approximately 20% of those proceeds.
Former Insurance Examiner Pleaded Guilty Before Family’s Charges
Philbin had previously faced prosecution over other fraudulent insurance claims. In October 2025, authorities accused him of creating fictitious claim files using false identities and fabricated construction invoices.
According to the Attorney General’s earlier announcement, investigators linked Philbin to 11 allegedly fictitious claims through internal audit logs and document metadata containing his unique employee identification. Prosecutors also alleged that he used post office boxes in Clementon and Blackwood to conceal the activity and facilitate payments.
Philbin pleaded guilty to third-degree insurance fraud in May 2026. Under the plea arrangement, the state agreed to recommend five years of probation and restitution. The October 14 Attorney General’s announcement confirmed that he was still awaiting sentencing.
The investigation into the Feldman family’s claims was led by Sgt. Shawn McDonald and Detective Joseph Wilsbach of the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor, with assistance from Assurant’s Special Investigations Unit. Deputy Attorney General Alan Babbitt is prosecuting the case.
Parents Face Second-Degree Charges as Daughter Faces Separate Counts
The Attorney General’s Office described a seven-count indictment against Donald and Carolyn involving second-degree conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, insurance fraud and theft by deception, along with third-degree commercial bribery and other fraud and theft allegations. The New Jersey Judiciary’s public-access charge inquiry for Donald separately lists seven charge entries, including insurance fraud, theft by deception, conspiracy and commercial bribery.
Brittany faces third-degree insurance fraud and theft by deception charges. All three family members were also accused of third-degree conspiracy involving insurance fraud and theft by deception in connection with the Mantua property.
Under New Jersey law, knowingly submitting materially false information in support of an insurance claim constitutes insurance fraud. Committing at least five qualifying fraudulent acts involving an aggregate value of $1,000 or more can elevate the offense to a second-degree crime. The state’s commercial bribery statute separately addresses benefits exchanged for breaches of certain professional or employment duties.
Second-degree crimes generally carry five to 10 years in state prison and fines of up to $150,000. Third-degree offenses generally carry three to five years and fines of up to $15,000. These are potential penalties upon conviction, not sentences imposed on the Feldmans.
Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Bernard J. Cooney addressed the alleged misconduct in the state’s announcement, saying, “An insurance claim should be paid because it is legitimate, not because the person approving it stands to receive a share of the proceeds.”
Court Records Schedule December 3 Conference for Both Parents
New Jersey Judiciary records reviewed on October 15 identify Gloucester County case number 26002793 for Donald and Carolyn Feldman. Both are scheduled to appear in person on December 3, 2026, at 9 a.m., before Superior Court Judge Renard L. Scott in courtroom 303. The scheduled event is designated a pre-indictment conference.
The public-access entries currently describe the charging document as a complaint and do not display an indictment number, although the Attorney General’s October 14 announcement describes a seven-count indictment.
How Homeowners Can Check for Unfamiliar Insurance Claims
Property owners who discover unfamiliar insurance paperwork or claims can request their residential property claims history through the Comprehensive Loss Underwriting Exchange, commonly called C.L.U.E. The Consumer Financial Protection Bureau explains that the service collects up to seven years of homeowners and personal property claims information and provides consumers with one free report every 12 months.
A claims history report may help identify suspicious activity, although it is not a guarantee that every policy or claim involving a property will appear. Anyone who discovers unfamiliar insurance activity should contact the insurer directly, request the claim details and preserve relevant documents. Suspected insurance fraud in New Jersey can also be reported through the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at 1-877-55-FRAUD (1-877-553-7283).