$20-Million Insurance Fraud Case Continues with Testimony from Fire Chief, Jewelry Expert

The preliminary hearing for a prominent Bucks County family accused of taking part in $20-million insurance fraud scheme continued today with a jewelry expert testifying for the prosecution.

Claire Risoldi, 67, daughter Carla Risoldi, 48, son Carl Risoldi, 43, and his wife, Sheila Risoldi, are accused of filing fraudulent claims with insurer AIG. The family members allegedly made false claims after a fire at the family’s Stoney Hill Road home in 2013.

Claire’s husband, Thomas French, 64, was also charged, but he reportedly killed himself on Feb. 5.

During today’s trial the prosecutors attempted to show that Claire Risoldi kept the jewelry that she claimed stolen in a bank deposit box. Jewelry expert Don Palmieri testified that some of the jewelry reported stolen were custom pieces so it’s doubtful there would be duplicates

Risoldi had accused volunteer firefights of stealing jewelry in the 2013 fire, which was the third reported fire at the family’s home since June 2009.

Monday’s proceedings included testimony about whether hairspray could be used as a fire accelerate and whether or not the transaction to buy a home was done legally.

Midway Fire Chief High Hager’s testimony included that the 2013 fire and a previous fire in August of 2010 both included several cans of hairspray where firefights believed the blazes started.

The hearing is expected to continue all this week.