Detective Charged in Auto Insurance Fraud

Port Chester detective charged with insurance fraud involving car damage
The Journal News by Rebecca Baker - November 16, 2011

Port Chester, NY - A Port Chester police detective is due in court today on charges he defrauded his insurance company by exaggerating a damage claim on his car. James Kumano, 39, was indicted on a felony charge of third-degree insurance fraud and a misdemeanor charge of first-degree falsifying business records. He pleaded not guilty at his Nov. 4 arraignment and was released without bail. A conference on his case is scheduled today before acting state Supreme Court Justice Albert Lorenzo in White Plains. Kumano, a Westchester County resident, is accused of defrauding Allstate Insurance of more than $3,000 between March 22 and July 2, 2009, and then trying to conceal his actions. Port Chester Police Chief Joseph Krzeminski said Kumano has surrendered his weapon and has been placed on modified duty. He has been doing administrative work and is barred from handling evidence or taking statements. "We're waiting to see how the criminal investigation unfolds, and we're conducting our own investigation," Krzeminski said. Kumano would automatically lose his job if convicted of a felony. A misdemeanor conviction could lead to administrative punishment by the department. Kumano was hired in January 2002 from the New York City Police Department. He was promoted to detective in 2007. He is the second Port Chester cop to face criminal charges in the past two months. Officer Michael Martello, a 16-year member of the department, was arrested Sept. 3 on a misdemeanor drunken-driving charge. He is accused of hitting a parked car with his Lexus. Martello, 41, refused to take a breath test and was suspended following the incident. He is back on duty but the case is still pending.