FREEHOLD –A suspended Asbury Park police officer and his sister pleaded guilty Tuesday in connection to a health insurance fraud scheme, announced Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Alix Antoine, 38, a suspended 12-year veteran of the Asbury Park Police Department and his 44-year-old sister, Patricia Louis, aka Patricia Antoine, pleaded guilty to third degree Insurance Fraud before the Honorable Leslie-Ann Justus, Tuesday morning. They return for sentencing on June 9, 2017, and they both will apply for admission to the pre-trial intervention program (PTI).
The charges stemmed from an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office that revealed, Antoine, of Neptune Township, while employed as a member of the Asbury Park Police Department, filed false documents enabling Louis to obtain medical benefits for her and her son that she was not entitled to receive. Antoine’s health insurance benefits were provided by his employer, the Asbury Park Police Department.
Specifically, Antoine falsely and fraudulently claimed from 2009 to 2013, that Louis was his lawful spouse. However, the investigation revealed that Louis was Antoine’s biological half-sister.
Both defendants have agreed to pay restitution to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield in the amount of $189,645.84. Judge Justus also ordered that Antoine’s employment as a police officer with the Asbury Park Police Department be forfeited as of February 21, 2017. Antoine is also forever disqualified from holding any public office or employment in the state of New Jersey.
Antoine has been out on bail which was set at $150,000 no 10% at the time of his arrest on June 22, 2015. Louis was released on her own recognizance at the time of her arrest on June 22, 2015.
On June 27, 2016, Antoine was named in a 4-count indictment charging him with one count each of second degree Official Misconduct, Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct, Insurance Fraud and third degree Tampering with Public Records. Louis, of Clifton, was also named in the indictment and charged with one count each of second degree Conspiracy to Commit Official Misconduct and Insurance Fraud.
In November 2012, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, under the leadership of Prosecutor Gramiccioni, launched a Corruption Tip Line designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies. The Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has prosecuted 14 police officers between 2011 and today, including Antoine.
The case was prosecuted by Senior Litigation Counsel John Loughrey and Assistant Prosecutor Jennifer Lipp, Director, Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau.
Antoine’s attorney is Richard Incremona, Esq., of Freehold. Louis’ attorney is Mitchell Ignatoff, Esq., of Englewood Cliffs.
Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or E-mail at: corruption@co.monmouth.nj.us write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.
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