Authorities in Bucks County have charged a Bensalem Township public adjuster in connection with an alleged insurance fraud scheme involving homeowners in Pennsylvania and New Jersey, with investigators seeking information from anyone else who may have been affected.
Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, owner of Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, was arrested Thursday and lodged in jail on 19 felony counts related to fraud and theft. According to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office, Breitenbach is accused of misappropriating more than $82,000 in insurance claim funds that insurers issued for homeowners dealing with property damage.
Detectives say the alleged conduct took place between September 2023 and September 2024, when Breitenbach was acting as a public adjuster representing residents in Pennsylvania and New Jersey. During that time, investigators say he received at least eight checks from major insurance companies. The checks totaled approximately $82,000 and were intended to pay for repairs connected to storm and water damage at clients’ properties.
Authorities say the money was not distributed to the homeowners or contractors responsible for completing the repairs. Several victims reported that their signatures were forged on insurance checks connected to their claims and said they never received any portion of the funds intended for their homes. In one case, a victim told investigators she did not receive “one red cent” of the insurance payment that had been issued to cover repairs.
Detectives described the activity as a pattern of fraudulent and deceptive business practices involving at least four confirmed victims across Pennsylvania and New Jersey.
One victim, a woman living in Bensalem Township, Pennsylvania, was defrauded of nearly $14,000 tied to storm damage claims. Another case involved an elderly homeowner in Montgomery County, Pennsylvania, who lost more than $33,000 following a leak at her residence.
Investigators also identified an elderly victim in Trenton, New Jersey, who was defrauded of more than $18,000 in connection with a property damage claim involving his property. A woman in Hamilton Township, New Jersey, reported losses exceeding $17,000 related to an insurance payout.
The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office said investigators believe there may be additional victims who have not yet contacted authorities. Anyone with information about Breitenbach or Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, or who believes they may have been victimized by the business, is asked to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or submit a tip through the county’s reporting system.
According to authorities, Breitenbach operated Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC from a residence in Bensalem Township.
He faces multiple felony charges, including insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices. His preliminary arraignment was held on Thursday before 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 unable to post bail set at 10 percent of $150,000 and was remanded to Bucks County Correctional Facility. Online court records currently do not list an attorney representing him.
He is scheduled to return to court for a hearing on April 8.
The investigation was conducted by Bucks County Detective John Agnew. Prosecutors say the case will be handled by Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian, who serves as Chief of Economic Crimes and Insurance Fraud for the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.
