Newburyport Man Pleads Guilty to Insurance Fraud Scheme

A Newburyport man, Christian Decristofaro, pleaded guilty to wire fraud in a federal court for defrauding a home repair insurance provider. He was charged with enrolling a fake company, NE Premier Home Services LLC, as a contractor with the insurer and billing for repair jobs that were never performed. Over a period of nearly three years, he caused the insurance provider to pay approximately $2,196,323 for fictitious repair work. The fraudulent activities included creating false identities for non-existent homeowners and reporting fake emergencies to the insurance company, leading to significant financial losses for the provider.

The court has set sentencing for June 23, 2025. If convicted, Decristofaro could face up to 20 years in prison, along with substantial fines and potential restitution. This case is part of a broader initiative by federal authorities to crack down on fraud targeting insurance companies and protect consumers from deceptive practices. The prosecution emphasizes the serious nature of such crimes and the commitment to holding perpetrators accountable.