NJ Chiropractor to Spend 6 Years in Prison

A chiropractor from Franklin Township has been sentenced to six years behind bars for fraudulently obtaining more than $650,000 by illegally using "runners" to recruit motor vehicle accident patients to his business.  Attorney General Jeff Chiesa says 53-year-old Scott Greenberg also admitted to growing marijuana plants.

"The prison sentence imposed today should act as a deterrent to those in the medical profession who seek to maximize profits through illegal means," said Chiesa.  "Such criminal conduct will not be tolerated in the state of New Jersey."

"Insurance fraud continues to be a major reason why New Jersey's insurance rates, especially auto insurance rates, are among the highest in the nation," said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Ronald Chillemi.  "The Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor has made it a priority to vigorously investigate and prosecute those who use running schemes to defraud insurance companies, and in turn, insurance consumers, who often bear the cost of such fraud through increased premiums."

Greenberg pleaded guilty January 11, 2013 to a criminal accusation charging him with second-degree theft by deception, third-degree conspiracy and third-degree criminal running activity as well as second-degree manufacturing a controlled dangerous substance.

In pleading guilty, Greenberg, who owns Central Jersey Chiropractic and Rehabilitation Centres, which has offices in Central and North Jersey, admitted that he paid money to "runners" to recruit motor vehicle accident patients to his business.

An investigation determined that Greenberg paid the "runners" about $100,000 for the solicitation and referral of about 164 patients between February 21, 2009 and July 27, 2011.

During the same time period, Greenberg admitted that he illegally obtained a total of $655,594 in reimbursement from various insurance companies as a result of the "running" scheme.

Greenberg was one of seven defendants charged in connection with the scheme. During the course of the investigation, 13 marijuana plants were found growing in his home along with paraphernalia.