South Fayette Township commissioner charged with insurance fraud
Three women were charged last week with insurance fraud for allegedly submitting false reimbursement claims after a fire at one of their homes.
Charged by a special agent with the state attorney general’s office were Dianne E. Cardillo, 49, of 206 Fannie St., McDonald; her stepdaughter, South Fayette Township commissioner Jessica J. Cardillo, 32, of 324 Second Ave., Bridgeville; and Michelle L. D’Angelo, 53, 339 Profio Road, McDonald.
The insurance fraud section of the attorney general’s office began the investigation after being contacted by a representative of Allegheny Co-Op Insurance Co. earlier this year.
There was an electrical fire June 18, 2012, at a home in Oakdale where Jessica Cardillo had lived. The home was owned by her father, Benjamin Cardillo.
Jessica Cardillo claimed she lived with D’Angelo for three weeks after the fire, paying the woman $1,500 in cash for the stay. D’Angelo reportedly gave her a receipt showing the payment.
Investigators reportedly got conflicting stories about her stay with D’Angelo from the three women. D’Angelo later admitted to investigators that Jessica Cardillo never stayed with her. Jessica Cardillo also reportedly gave the insurance company false receipts for meals from a delicatessen in McDonald. The receipts were reportedly made by Dianne Cardillo gave them to her stepdaughter to turn the insurance company. One of the receipts was dated for a Monday when the business is not open.
Jessica Cardillo reportedly told investigators it was her stepmother’s idea to turn in the fraudulent receipts for the food and stay with D’Angelo.
All three were arraigned Sept. 18 before District Judge Jay Weller on two counts of insurance fraud and one count of conspiracy to commit theft by deception and released. Jessica Cardillo is also charged with theft by deception. They are scheduled for preliminary hearings Oct. 7 at the office of Senior District Judge Jay Dutton.