TRENTON — Attorney General Jennifer Davenport announced today that three members of a Gloucester County, New Jersey, family were charged in connection with their alleged roles in a homeowners’ insurance fraud scheme involving more than $100,000 in fraudulent payments.
Donald Feldman, 65, and his wife, Carolyn Feldman, 61, both of West Deptford, New Jersey, were charged in a seven-count indictment with second-degree conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, substantive second-degree charges for insurance fraud and theft by deception and third-degree charges for commercial bribery, insurance fraud, and theft by deception. They were arrested Oct. 13, 2026.
Donald and Carolyn Feldman and their daughter, Brittany Feldman, 34, also of West Deptford, were each charged with third-degree conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and theft by deception. Brittany Feldman was also charged by summons with substantive third-degree insurance fraud and theft by deception.
According to documents filed in this case, the Feldmans conspired with John Philbin, who was previously charged and pleaded guilty to insurance fraud involving other claims as part of a broader insurance fraud scheme.
Philbin was a former claims examiner with Assurant Insurance Company who exploited his position at the company to approve the Feldman family’s fraudulent insurance claims in exchange for payments from the Feldmans. Philbin pleaded guilty in May 2026 to third-degree insurance fraud. The state will recommend five years of probation, with restitution. He is awaiting sentencing.
According to documents filed in these cases and statements made in court:
Between April 12, 2022, and May 15, 2023, Donald Feldman worked with Carolyn Feldman and Philbin to create or submit approximately 10 fictitious Assurant insurance claims.
For example, Donald Feldman obtained an Assurant policy for a property in Sicklerville owned by another individual and submitted multiple claims under that policy. The claims allegedly included fabricated estimates and invoices for emergency mitigation or restoration work purportedly performed by American Construction & Restoration. Searches of New Jersey business records found no filings or registrations for that business. Donald Feldman also submitted invoices for mitigation services at other Assurant-insured properties that the insureds said he did not complete.
Upon submission of the fraudulent insurance claims, Donald Feldman notified Philbin, who was then employed at Assurant as a field claims examiner. Philbin then reassigned the claims to himself and approved approximately $108,000 in payments to Donald Feldman for work that was never performed. Approximately 20 percent of those payments went to Philbin for his role in the scheme. Carolyn Feldman allegedly coordinated claim information and payments with Philbin, cashed Assurant checks, and delivered portions of the proceeds to him.
In addition, all three Feldmans were also charged in connection with two allegedly fraudulent claims involving a property in Mantua that Brittany Feldman neither owned nor occupied. Between March 6, 2023, and May 15, 2023, Brittany Feldman allegedly worked with her parents and Philbin to obtain insurance payments for purported damage and restoration work at that property.
She obtained an Assurant policy for the property and submitted claims alleging windstorm-related and animal-related damage. The claims were supported by fabricated estimates and invoices for work purportedly performed by Feldman Construction, a business in which she held an ownership interest.
Carolyn Feldman allegedly helped coordinate those claims and personally reported one using Brittany Feldman’s telephone. Philbin assigned the claims to himself and approved approximately $30,000 in payments directed to Brittany Feldman for work that was never performed. Carolyn Feldman allegedly cashed checks issued to Feldman Construction and coordinated payment of approximately 20 percent of the proceeds to Philbin.
The case is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Alan Babbitt, and the investigation was led by Sgt. Shawn McDonald and Detective Joseph Wilsbach of OIFP.
Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Cooney thanked Assurant Insurance’s Special Investigations Unit for their assistance.
Second-degree charges carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in prison and a fine of up to $15,000.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment against the Feldmans are merely accusations, and they are presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
OIFP’s mission includes coordination of all anti-insurance fraud activities statewide, and many successful prosecutions are a result of initial anonymous tips. If you suspect insurance fraud or have information about a potential case, OIFP wants to hear from you. You can report fraud anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD or visiting www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to eligible persons who provide information that leads to an arrest, prosecution, and conviction for insurance fraud.