Harding, Charles Willard

New York State
Insurance Department

MIDDLEBURGH MAN ARRESTED FOR INSURANCE FRAUD

        Superintendent of Insurance Neil D. Levin today announced that Charles W. Harding, 53, of Old State Route 30, Middleburgh, NY was arrested August 11 and charged with forgery in the second degree, a Class D felony. The arrest is the result of a joint investigation by the Insurance Department’s Frauds Bureau and the Schoharie County District Attorney’s Office, with the assistance of the Schoharie County Sheriff’s Department.

        Harding was accused of forging a certificate of liability insurance, which indicated that his company was insured through Hartford Insurance Company. The certificate was used to rent a crane for his company, HCM Boxing and Rigging. The crane company subsequently submitted a liability claim to Hartford and was informed that Harding did not in fact have coverage - - causing the Department to investigate the matter. At his arraignment, Harding pled guilty to forgery in the third degree, a Class A misdemeanor, and was sentenced to a fine of $400 and a one-year conditional discharge.

        New York is aggressive in its fight against insurance fraud. Investigations conducted by the Frauds Bureau have resulted in the arrests of more than 200 people so far in 1999 and saved insurance companies and policyholders over $4 million.