Baltimore City Woman Indicted for Fraud and Felony Theft

BALTIMORE, MD (October 28, 2008) - Attorney General Douglas F. Gansler announced today that Edana Gerald, 35, of Baltimore City, was indicted in the Circuit Court for Anne Arundel County for insurance fraud and felony theft.

On June 14, 2006, Ms. Gerald was in an automobile accident. The charges allege that on June 30, 2006, Ms. Gerald submitted a forged document reporting she had missed 37.5 hours of work at the Maryland Department of Juvenile Services. The forged documents, along with a demand for $697.75 from each for lost wages, were submitted to two insurance companies in support of Ms. Gerald’s claims. An investigation revealed that Ms. Gerald did not miss any of the time that she claimed.

Felony theft is punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years incarceration and a $25,000 fine. Felony insurance fraud is punishable by a maximum sentence of 15 years incarceration and a $10,000 fine. No trial date has been set.

The indictment follows a joint investigation by the Insurance Fraud Division of the Maryland Insurance Administration and the Office of the Attorney General. A criminal charge is merely an accusation of wrongdoing and the defendant is presumed innocent unless the State proves she is guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.