N.J. Woman Guilty in Auto Scam

New Jersey Criminal Justice Director Vaughn McKoy announced that a Passaic County woman has pleaded guilty to conspiracy for her role in an automobile “give up” scam.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Monique S. Everett, 25, of Paterson, Passaic County, also known to reside in Emporia, Virginia, pleaded guilty before Passaic County Superior Judge Edward Gannon to conspiracy (3rd degree). The conspiracy charge was contained in a Jan. 21 indictment obtained by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor. When sentenced on Oct. 28, Everett faces up to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

At the guilty plea, Everett reportedly admitted that between Nov. 8, 2001 and Jan. 11, 2002, she conspired to “give up” a 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage, valued at more than $10,100, to co-defendants.

An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice – Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that Everett and Robert Wayne Williams, 35, who is currently incarcerated in State prison, “gave up” the 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage to Javin Ward, 28, of Parsippany, Morris County, and James Westfield, 35, of Paterson.

A “give up” is when the owner of a car voluntarily transfers the car to another person so that the car can be hidden, resold with a different Vehicle Identification Number (VIN), or chopped for parts so that the owner can claim it was stolen and submit a false automobile insurance theft claim.

On Nov. 8, 2001, Everett reported the vehicle stolen to the Paterson Police Department and subsequently filed a $10,150 theft claim with Encompass Insurance Company. On Nov. 25, 2001, Williams was arrested in possession of the 2000 Mitsubishi Mirage by the Montville Police Department.