POUGHQUAG MAN ARRESTED FOR INSURANCE FRAUD

A Poughquag man already facing charges for assaulting an elderly woman with a shopping cart was arrested March 17 for trying to fraudulently obtain $9,000 in lost wage benefits, the New York State Insurance Department reported.

James M. Curcio, 45, of 54 Hillside Rd., Poughquag, Dutchess County, was charged with insurance fraud following his arrest by New York State Police, assisted by the Department’s Frauds Bureau. He was remanded to Putnam County Jail on $7,500 bail pending a hearing.

Curcio tried to claim lost wage benefits for an 18-week period starting from the date of an April 8, 2007, auto accident. An investigation revealed that Curcio was unemployed at the time of the accident. Curcio was hired as a part-time cook in May, but was fired after repeatedly missing work because he was in jail on assault and theft charges. He was accused of taking a shopping cart, pushing it into a woman and then fleeing with the cart and groceries. He was accused of taking a shopping cart, pushing it into a woman and then fleeing with the cart and groceries.

Curcio, whose claim for lost wage benefits was denied, could be sentenced to up to seven years in prison if convicted of insurance fraud. Putnam County Assistant District Attorney Robert Noah is prosecuting the case.