Buckingham Family Accused of $20M Fraud Scheme

A prominent Bucks County family has been charged in a multimillion dollar insurance fraud scheme after three fires at their Buckingham Township mansion in less than five years.

According to a grand jury, which investigated the scheme, Claire Risoldi, her husband Tom French, daughter Carla Risolidi, son Carl Risoldi and his wife, Sheila, claimed millions of dollars in losses after a fire at their Stoney Hill Road home in 2013.

The fire on Oct. 22, 2013 was the third at the home in the past five years, investigators said. Fires also happened in June 2009 and August 2010. Following each of the three fires, the Risoldis filed insurance claims with AIG Insurance.

According to investigators, AIG has paid out more than $20 million in connection with the fires and the family is seeking $20 million more for the October fire. The grand jury alleges that the family used the payouts to buy fancy cars and jewelry.

Investigators also allege Claire Risoldi falsely accused volunteer firefighters of stealing millions of dollars worth of jewelry from the home while they were there putting out the fire.

“This family and their co-conspirators stole millions to fund a lifestyle of extravagance and excess,” Attorney General Kathleen Kane said. “Insurance fraud drives up the cost for everyone, including seniors and middle-class families. Even worse, the scheme was facilitated through threats, intimidation and falsely accusing first responders of serious crimes.”

The Philadelphia Inquirer reported Claire Risoldi is a prominent GOP donor who raised money for Congressman Mike Fitzpatrick.

According to the Bucks County Courier Times, Carla Risoldi is a former Bucks County assistant district attorney.