Public adjuster charged with fraud; Bucks DA says more than $82K taken from clients

The Bucks County District Attorney’s Office has filed multiple felony charges against a Bensalem Township public adjuster accused of misappropriating more than $82,000 in insurance claim funds, including money intended for elderly homeowners in Pennsylvania and New Jersey.

Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, owner of Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, is charged with insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices following a joint investigation by Bucks County Detectives, according to a news announcement Thursday night. 

Authorities allege that between September 2023 and September 2024, Breitenbach acted as a public adjuster for residents in both states and received at least eight insurance checks totaling approximately $82,000, but failed to turn over the funds to his clients or to contractors performing repair work.

According to the criminal complaint, several victims reported their signatures were forged on insurance checks and said they never received any of the money intended to repair storm or water damage to their homes. Investigators described what they believe is a broader pattern of fraudulent and deceptive conduct impacting multiple victims.

Among the cases cited by prosecutors:

• A Bensalem Township woman was defrauded of nearly $14,000 related to storm damage.
• An elderly Montgomery County homeowner lost more than $33,000 following a residential leak.
• An elderly victim was defrauded of more than $18,000 tied to a property damage claim in Trenton, New Jersey.
• A Hamilton Township, New Jersey woman lost over $17,000.

Prosecutors said Breitenbach operated his business out of a residence in Bensalem Township. 

He was arraigned 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,” said Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan. “This Office will work tirelessly to stand up for victims of fraud, particularly those who are elderly and being targeted like this.”

Authorities believe there may be additional victims who have not yet come forward. Anyone with information about Breitenbach or Patriot Public Adjusting, or who believes they may have been victimized, is asked to contact Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354 or submit a tip through the CRIMEWATCH app.

The case was investigated by Bucks County Detective John Agnew and is being prosecuted by Deputy District Attorney Alan J. Garabedian, Chief of Economic Crimes and Insurance Fraud.

All suspects and defendants are innocent until proven guilty. This story was compiled using public court records.