Originally charged with the crime in May 2009, former Rochester, N.Y. planning board member Eugene McCarthy has been given a nine-month suspended jail sentence after being convicted of insurance fraud.
In January 2008, McCarthy filed a false claim with Travelers Insurance, alleging that two Rolex watches had been stolen from his home. He also claimed a pistol, digital camera, cordless phone and answering machine, and a knife collection were missing as well, and was seeking $8,852.96 in compensation.
To make matters messy, McCarthy’s attorney claimed McCarthy had been set up by his wife, Laura, while the couple was in the middle of a divorce. The attorney stated Laura had come across the watches while the family was cataloging marital assets.
McCarthy was ordered to pay $6,700 in restitution, as the watches were the only items referenced on the indictment. He was also placed on “good behavior” for four years rather than probation.
It didn’t even matter that McCarthy was left without his valuable time-tellers. After the three-day trial, he didn’t need to keep checking his watch. The jury announced their verdict in less than an hour.
See also: Necktie Negligence
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