The New York herald., 1922-03-04
INSURANCE FRAUDS
REVEAL ODD CIRCUS
Travelling Band Of Contortion-
lists Preys on Companies
by Fake Mishaps.
GRAFT MAY BE 100000
Indictments Here and in Bos-
ton for Grand Larceny in
Suspicious Cases.
GRAFT MAY BE 100000

A. travelling circus of contortionists,
double jointed men and women, chanf-
feurs and several motor cars Is now
commanding the attention of the Dis
trlct Attorney. 1t is alleged that this
outfit has grown passing rich by de-
and while the extent of the industry can
only be estimated at this early date, Je-
rome Simmons believes this latest graft
syndicate must have taken In nearly
100000
Yesterday the Grand Jury returned
three grand larceny indictments on
complaints made by the Ocean Ac-
cident and Guarantee Corporation, ia
Fifth avenue. against Jacob Itzkowitz,
who formerly lived at 535 Moore street
Brooklyn Max Elstein and Benjamin
Greenwald, said to be Elstein's son. Mr..
Summons declared these men to be In
Boston az the present time under indict-
ment there.
1t appears that Itzkowitz has NAL
formation of one OF his feet. It is al
legged that one OF tho bones forming
It's mates. Elstein Is said to own an
automobile and Greenwald is charged
with being its chauffeur. The Ocean
Accident and Guarantee Corporation
charges that on August 2, 1921, it paid
ltzkowitz $500 for an injury to his
malformed foot. and that it was his con-
tentfon that the car driven by Green
wald did the injuring.
Traced Through East.
Mr.. Simmons says he has four papers
signed by Itzkowitz at various times
IN settlement of claims out Of court by
accident insurance companies.
Thus far Mr.. Simmons has traced
the activities OF the syndicate through
five Eastern States. 1t Is not shown.
however. that Itzkowitz, Elstein and
Greenwaid have been connected with
all of this alleged fraud There seem
to have been two favorite methods Of
working the game, according to the
stories told to Mr.. Simmons. 1t Is said
that lawyers, doctors and brokers are
accused of being local agents of the
travelling circus. These doctors and
insurance brokers would~be notified Of
the coming OF the troupe and prepare
for action.
One way OF getting the money was
to have the victim insured. The victim
might have queer leg that could be
thrown out OF Joint easily and snapped
back again at it's owners will An
other might have an arm that had
never completely recovered from an
old injury or that had been crippled
since the victims birth. Even trick
spinal columns. permanently cracked
ribs and freak internal shortcomings
were included In the collection of mar
ketable misfortuncs that were of such
value to the syndicate.
Quickly signs Release.
This insured victim would be run
down BY n motor car or other vehicle
q. the appointed hour and place. The
appointed doctor and insurance man
would be on the job. The company
would be informed and the adjuster
dispatched to sooth the injured victim.
The victim would sign the preferred
release and take the few hundred of
fered by the adjuster. Then the circus
would move on to the next town. or. If
this happened in a large city. merely
move to another street and change his
name II 1t were thought necessary.
From Boston yesterday came an As
ISOLATED Press dispatch saying that
Itzkowitz. alias Ritter; Elstcin, alias
Abe Leberman, were arrested there
with three others. two of whom are
cripples. after they had collected 800
from the Massachusetts, Bonding and
Insurance Company and had presented
claim against the Zurich General Ac-
cldent and Liability Company following
automobile accidents which. the police
say. were faxed. The same physician
Investigated the case for each COM
pany. and, becoming suspicious, called
in the police.