A public adjuster operating in the region is accused of misappropriating more than $82,000 in insurance funds intended for his clients, authorities said.
Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, owner of Patriot Public Adjusting LLC, was arrested and charged on Thursday with numerous offenses, including insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery, and deceptive business practices.
Credit: Bucks County District Attorney’s Office
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office filed the charges after an investigation by county detectives.
Law enforcement officials allege that between September 2023 and September 2024, Breitenbach received at least eight checks from major insurance carriers totaling approximately $82,000.
Detectives wrote in court papers that Breitenbach failed to distribute those funds to his clients or the contractors hired to repair property damage.
In several instances, victims reported their signatures were forged on insurance checks, detectives said.
Some homeowners reportedly told investigators they never received “one red cent” of the payouts meant to cover storm and water damage.
The charges stem from four cases county authorities looked into.
A Bensalem woman was duped of nearly $14,000 in storm damage claims, and a Montgomery County woman was defrauded of more than $33,000 following a home leak, authorities said.
In New Jersey, a Trenton man was swindled out of more than $18,000 related to property damage, and a Hamilton Township woman defrauded of more than $17,000.
“The complaint alleges that the defendant preyed on people when they were at their most vulnerable, including in the aftermath of storms and property damage,” Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said. “This office will work tirelessly to stand up for victims of fraud, particularly those who are elderly and being targeted like this.”
Breitenbach, who operated his business out of a Bensalem residence, was preliminarily arraigned Thursday by District Judge Joseph P. Falcone. Bail was set at 10 percent of $150,000.
Prosecutors believe there may be additional victims and are asking anyone with information regarding Breitenbach or Patriot Public Adjusting to contact the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or submit a tip via CRIMEWATCH.
Editor’s Note: All individuals arrested or charged with a crime are presumed innocent until proven guilty. The story was compiled using information from police and public court documents.
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