A Bensalem man is facing serious charges as he’s been accused of swindling over $82,000 in insurance claims intended for senior homeowners and other clients in Pennsylvania and New Jersey with investigators thinking there are more victims who have yet to be discovered.
Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, owner of Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, was arrested and jailed Thursday on 19 fraud/theft felony counts.
Following a comprehensive investigation by the Bucks County Detectives, authorities allege that between September 2023 and September 2024, Breitenbach acted as a public adjuster on behalf of residents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
During this period, he allegedly received at least eight checks from major insurers, totaling approximately $82,000, but failed to distribute the necessary funds to his clients or to contractors. In several instances, victims reported that their signatures were forged on insurance checks and that they never received “one red cent” of the payouts meant to repair storm and water damage to their properties.
The investigation revealed a pattern of fraudulent and deceptive business practices involving at least four identified victims:
A Bensalem Township woman was defrauded of nearly $14,000 in storm damage claims.
An elderly victim was defrauded of over $33,000 following a leak at her home in Montgomery County.
An elderly victim was defrauded of over $18,000 related to a property-damage claim on his property in Trenton, N.J.
A Hamilton Township, N.J., woman was defrauded of over $17,000.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office believes there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. If you have information regarding Breitenbach or Patriot Public Adjusting, or if you believe you have been victimized by this business, please contact the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or submit a tip through this link
Breitenbach, authorities say, was operating his business out of a residence in Bensalem Township, faces numerous charges including felony counts of insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices.
He was arraigned Thursday by Magisterial District Judge Joseph P. Falcone.
“The complaint alleges that the defendant preyed on people when they were at their most vulnerable, including in the aftermath of storms and property damage,” Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said. “This Office will work tirelessly to stand up for victims of fraud, particularly those who are elderly and being targeted like this.”
Breitenbach was remanded to Bucks County Correctional as he was unable to post bond of 10 percent of $150,000.00. He has no attorney of record, according to online court records and is due back in court for a hearing on April 8.
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