A Berks County woman and her son were arrested Tuesday on charges they pawned more than $4,000 worth of jewelry to pay for their trip to Florida and then reported that it had been stolen, authorities said.
Kim Morrissey, 54, of the 300 block of Snyder Road, Ontelaunee Township, and her son Jason Egan, 31, of the 1100 block of Clair Drive, Exeter Township, were arrested on insurance fraud charges, said Lauren C. Bozart, assistant press secretary in the attorney general’s office.
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Attorney General Kathleen G. Kane gave this account:
In September 2010, Morrissey, who had been vacationing in Florida, told her husband that all of the jewelry she took on the trip had been stolen from her hotel room.
Morrissey gave statements to Donegal Insurance Group and officers from the Fort Lauderdale police claiming that she had lost numerous bracelets, charms, earrings, necklaces and rings valued at more than $4,000.
The investigation determined that Morrissey and son Egan, who was in Florida at the time, pawned jewelry at several different pawnshops.
Pawn records maintained by stores under Florida law confirmed that Morrissey and her son both pawned numerous items.
They used the money to pay for hotel and other expenses while they were in Florida.
Donegal refused to pay the insurance claim.
Morrissey was charged with insurance fraud, making false reports to law enforcement, attempted theft by deception and conspiracy.
Egan was charged with insurance fraud, attempted theft by deception and conspiracy.
It was unclear if the two were committed to prison or remain free awaiting further court action.
The case will be prosecuted in Berks by Deputy Attorney General Kelley Nelson of the attorney general’s insurance fraud section.
