Social Worker Sentenced for Defrauding Insurance Companies

An Ocean County social worker from Toms River was sentenced today for bilking insurance companies for services that were not performed.

Mary F. Rizzuto, 51, was sentenced to 90 days in county jail and five years of probation by Superior Court Judge Wendel E. Daniels. Rizzuto also had after pleading guilty Sept. 12 to a third-degree theft by deception charge.

Rizzuto admitted to fraudulently submitting claims for professional services which were never provided to Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey and Guardian Life Insurance Company from Jan. 3, 2003, to Nov. 22, 2008, according to a news release.

An investigation into the fraud began after a former client of Rizzuto received a benefits document from his insurance company showing that the social worker had filed claims for more than 20 counseling sessions that never occurred, according to a release.

Rizzuto also faces disciplinary proceedings before the New Jersey Board of Social Work Examiners.