Former policeman convicted of insurance fraud

A former policeman was today condemned to a two-year jail term suspended for four years after he was convicted of insurance fraud.

The court found that Joseph Incorvaja was a serving police officer when, in November 2002, he falsely reported to the police that equipment had been stolen from his boat, the Panthera.

He had also filed a fraudulent insurance claim with Rausi Insurance.

Mr Incorvaja had claimed tha a VHR radio, fenders and  jet drives had been stolen from his boat.

The court was told that the police started their investigations when an anonymous letter alerting them to the fraud was received.

A mechanic, Martin Cassano confirmed that the equipment was not really stolen.

The former policeman then admitted his crime to the police and cooperated in the investigations.

The court in handing down sentence, noted that the former policeman had cooperated, that he had been going through a difficult period at the time of the crime, and that he had no criminal record other than a fine, several years ago, for smoking in a public space.

It also ordered him to reimburse the court and insurance costs.

(Michael Cassano in a separate case was given an 18 month jail term suspended for three years for his part in the crime).