Prosecutor: Auto Body Repair Company Owner Charged in $42K Fraud Scam

The owner of an area auto-body repair company has been charged with pilfering more than $42,000 from insurers, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Tuesday.

Barry Barbella, 67, of Howell, with the business based in Englishtown, has been charged with third-degree forgery, third-degree theft, and third-degree uttering a forged instrument.

An investigation by the MCPO Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit revealed that starting in September of 2023, Barbella began periodically depositing claim checks cut by insurance companies into a business account for the now-closed Franklin Auto Body, Inc., despite performing no work on the corresponding vehicles.

This alleged thefts took place on no fewer than six occasions, amounting to a total of $42,265, funds Barbella used to fund payroll and cover personal living expenses, at times via cash withdrawals. On one occasion, the investigation revealed, Barbella forged a customer’s signature on the back of a claim check.

Barbella was served the charges via summons last week pending future proceedings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

Anyone with further information about the activities of Barbella is asked to contact MCPO Detective Debra Bassinder at 800-533-7443.

This case is being handled by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Lawrence Nelsen, Director of the Financial Crimes and Special Prosecutions Unit. Barbella is being represented by Stephen McGuckin, Esq., with an office in Toms River.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office