A Camden County resident was sentenced to three years in prison for insurance fraud related to a house fire, according to a March 12 announcement by Attorney General Jennifer Davenport, the Division of Criminal Justice, and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.
The case highlights concerns about the impact of fraudulent claims on honest policyholders and the integrity of the insurance system. Authorities say that when individuals file false claims, it can lead to higher costs and undermine trust in insurance protections.
Richard Orlandini, 65, of Cherry Hill, pleaded guilty on December 1 before Superior Court Judge Judith Charny to second-degree insurance fraud. The sentence was imposed on March 6 in state Superior Court in Camden. According to court documents and statements made during proceedings, Orlandini’s home was destroyed by fire on October 20, 2018. He submitted a claim under his Allstate homeowner’s policy and hired a public adjuster who reported the loss as accidental. Investigators determined this statement was false and intended to secure insurance proceeds.
Attorney General Davenport said, “Homeowners pay a substantial amount of money for insurance to protect what is often their biggest investment. The system depends on everyone being an honest broker and when someone cheats the system by filing a claim for benefits to which they are not entitled, we all stand to lose.”
Division of Criminal Justice Director Theresa L. Hilton said, “The defendant in this case admitted to making false statements in an effort to obtain a financial payout from his insurance carrier. His attempt to secure an unearned payday failed, and today, he was held accountable for his crime.” Interim Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Al Garcia added, “Insurance fraud schemes like this undermine the integrity of the insurance system and place an unfair burden on honest policyholders. This sentence sends a clear message that insurance fraud will not be tolerated, and those who attempt to profit through deception will be held accountable.”
Investigators found that Orlandini also submitted false rental agreements for additional living expenses and claimed reimbursement for personal property items that were neither owned nor present at his home before the fire. He made five separate false or misleading statements seeking benefits he knew he was not entitled to receive.
The investigation involved multiple agencies including OIFP Detective Nicholas Esposito; local police; state authorities; federal agents from ATF; Allstate Insurance Company; and the National Insurance Crime Bureau.
According to the official website, the New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin aims to protect residents’ lives and property while upholding legal standards across all counties and municipalities in New Jersey. The office enforces laws statewide with authority over public safety matters under its statutory mandate according to its official website. Services include law enforcement oversight, legal representation for state agencies, crime lab support, victim advocacy programs, consumer protection initiatives—and overall regulation focused on justice throughout New Jersey as described by its official site.
OIFP encourages anyone with information about suspected insurance fraud cases to report tips anonymously via hotline or online submission forms. State regulations allow rewards for eligible persons whose information leads directly to arrest or conviction.