TRENTON - Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that a Union County resident has been sentenced for attempting to steal more than $11,600 by falsely reporting the theft of a rental vehicle.

According to Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden-Brown, Sean D. Walker, 38, Johnston Avenue, Plainfield, Union County, was sentenced by Union County Superior Court Judge Joseph P. Donohue on Nov. 12 to serve two years probation and to pay a $5,000 civil fine after pleading guilty to a criminal Accusation filed by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor.

At the Aug. 25 guilty plea, Walker admitted that on Feb.3, 2002, to falsely reporting to the Plainfield Police Department, Plainfield, Union County, that a 2002 Toyota Corolla rented from Enterprise Rent-a-Car had been stolen. Walker subsequently submitted a vehicle theft claim to Liberty Mutual Insurance Company seeking $11,600 - the value of the vehicle. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor determined that the car had not been stolen. Walker, in actuality, had lent the vehicle to a friend who had been involved in a hit and run accident. The Plainfield Police subsequently recovered the vehicle.

State Investigator Ronald Williams and Deputy Attorney General Richard W. Queen were assigned to the investigation. DAG Queen represented the Division of Criminal Justice - Office of Insurance Fraud Prosecutor at the sentencing.

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