D&J Drywall Owners, Employee Plead Not Guilty to Insurance Fraud

The Ventura County District Attorney’s Office has charged three people connected with a Newbury Park business with felony fraud charges for their part in an insurance scam.

Michael Nuciforo, 55, and James Nuciforo, 57, owners of D&J Drywall and Painting, face two counts of conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and five felony counts of insurance premium fraud. The business’s secretary, Brenda Stout, 52, faces the same charges. The trio could face as many as 12 years in prison if convicted.

The three pleaded not guilty to all charges. Authorities allege they defrauded workers’ compensation insurers of about one-half million dollars by lying about their employees’ wages to secure lower premiums over almost a decade.