Bucks County DA: Bensalem Public Adjuster Scammed Clients For Claims Money
by Alex Lloyd Gross
Bucks County District Attorney Joe Khan said that Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, owner of Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, represented several homeowners for claims. When the insurance company settled the claims, Breitenbach allegedly did not pay his clients, but instead kept the money.
The alleged misappropriation happened from September 2023 through September 2024, Khan’s office said. When a loss is paid out, a check is cut from the insurance company made payable to the adjuster and the homeowner. In several cases, the victims name was forged on check and they were never paid, Khan’s office said.
A Bensalem Township woman was defrauded of nearly $14,000 in storm damage claims. An elderly victim was defrauded of over $33,000 following a leak at her home in Montgomery County. An elderly victim was defrauded of over $18,000 related to a property-damage claim on his property in Trenton, N.J. A Hamilton Township, N.J., woman was defrauded of over $17,000.
There could be more victims that have not yet come forward. The Bucks County District Attorney said anyone who might have been scammed should contact them at (215) 348-5354.
Patriot was run out of Breitenbach’s home on the 6500 block of Timothy Court.
His charges include felony counts of insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices.