For Immediate Release April 29, 2008                                   
Contact: Corey Welford/Jessica Venezia 781-897-8325

Lowell Couple Plead Guilty To Insurance Fraud Scheme

WOBURN– Middlesex District Attorney Gerry Leone’s office informed the public that a Lowell couple involved in an insurance fraud scheme have pleaded guilty and been sentenced to probation.

Jovi Chitpaseuth, 21, and Michelle Neak, 18, both of Lowell, both pleaded guilty on April 22 in Middlesex Superior Court for their role in an insurance fraud scheme.  Chitpaseuth  pleaded guilty to filing a false motor vehicle insurance claim, attempting to commit a crime and conspiracy.  Neak pleaded guilty to filing a false motor vehicle claim and conspiracy charges. Middlesex Superior Court Judge Geraldine Hines sentenced Chitpaseuth to 5 years probation, with restitution and conditions that he not be involved in any gang activity.  Neak was sentenced to 2 years probation and restitution. 

“Instances of auto insurance fraud impact all drivers through increased insurance premiums coming right out of their wallets,” District Attorney Leone said. “I want to commend the work of the Insurance Fraud Bureau, Lowell Police and our PACT Unit for their excellent investigative work on this case. We will continue to diligently prosecute these matters to send a deterrent message to anyone who seeks to cheat and steal from the auto insurance system.”

According to authorities, on April 26, 2006, Jovi Chitpaseuth reported to the Lowell Police department that he was involved in a hit and run accident at the intersection of Broadway and School Street in the city of Lowell.  The motor vehicle report shows no passengers listed in the motor vehicle accident.  Two days later, Chitpaseuth reported to his insurance company that he was involved in a hit and run with a red car and that his girlfriend, Michelle Neak, was the front seat passenger.  He later stated to the insurance company that he was struck from behind by an unknown vehicle near the Broadway Pizza Restaurant in Lowell.  Michelle Neak also stated she was in the motor vehicle during the crash. 

In November 2006, an unrelated investigation by the Lowell Police revealed a video of the actual crash that had taken place.  In the video, Chitpaseuth’s vehicle is shown pulling up to Broadway Pizza restaurant  with numerous passengers exciting the vehicle.  It then shows Chitpaseuth and other individuals striking another vehicle with baseball bats.  The vehicle that was vandalized then fled the scene, striking Chitpaseuth’s vehicle in the process.  The video also reveals that Neak was not present at the scene or inside the vehicle. 

Following an investigation by the Lowell Police Department, the Insurance Fraud Bureau, and the Middlesex District Attorney’s PACT Unit, Chitpaseuth and Neak were arraigned in Middlesex Superior Court on June 27, 2007 where they pleaded not guilty. 

The prosecutor assigned to this case was Assistant District Attorney Elisha Willis and the Insurance Fraud Bureau investigator was Mark Leo.

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