web1_120905936-d1b3fe0b23e844a6a6074b6733bc78e0.jpg

Barletta knocks Mueller probe as going down ‘rabbit holes’

web1_Michael-Rosemellia-Duryea-cop-.jpg

Duryea officer accused of insurance fraud

<p>OLD FORGE &#8212; A ranking police officer in Duryea Borough was charged Friday with providing false information about a vehicle crash to an insurance company.</p><p>Old Forge police allege Michael Rosemellia, 33, of Duryea, claimed his mother-in-law was driving his 2017 Acura when his wife, Michelle Rosemellia, wrecked the vehicle on May 18, according to charges filed.</p><p>Police in Old Forge allege Michelle Rosemellia&#8217;s driving privileges were suspended due to a previous drunken driving conviction and revoked by the Pennsylvania Department of Transportation due to a medical issue.</p><p>Michael Rosemellia was arraigned on charges of filing a false insurance claim, a third-degree felony, and official oppression, a second-degree misdemeanor. He was released on $5,000 unsecured bail.</p><p>Duryea Mayor Keith Moss said Monday Michael Rosemellia has been suspended with pay.</p><p>Michael Rosemellia was promoted to sergeant in October. He has been an officer in Duryea for nearly 10 years.</p><p>According to the criminal complaint:</p><p>Old Forge police said a two vehicle crash occurred on South Main Street involving a 2017 Acura, solely owned by Michael Rosemellia, and a vehicle driven by Lawrence Papi.</p><p>Police allege Michelle Rosemellia was driving the Acura at the time of the crash and instead of calling 911, she called her husband who responded to the scene.</p><p>Michael Rosemellia was off-duty when he arrived and allegedly showed his police badge to Papi.</p><p>Michael Rosemellia claimed since there were no injuries, he had his wife and Papi exchange insurance information.</p><p>Police in Old Forge allege Michael Rosemellia filed a claim with Erie Insurance reporting his mother-in-law, Judy Wroblewski, was driving his vehicle. The insurance agency sent Michael Rosemellia a $3,686 check on June 25.</p><p>Judy Wroblewski allegedly gave a statement to Erie Insurance she was the driver and had no passengers in the vehicle.</p><p>Old Forge police questioned Michael Rosemellia who claimed he did not know his wife&#8217;s driver&#8217;s license was suspended and revoked.</p><p>Police also questioned Papi, who described the woman driver as being in her 30s and wore a &#8220;Old Forge Manor&#8221; shirt. When Papi was shown a picture of Wroblewski, he claimed she was not the driver of the Acura at the time of the crash.</p><p>Police said Michelle Rosemellia is employed at Old Forge Manor.</p><p>Papi also claimed Michael Rosemellia showed him a police badge and he identified himself as a police officer.</p><p>A review of online court records did not return any charges against Michelle Rosemellia and Judy Wroblewski.</p><style>
.neFileBlock {
	margin-bottom: 20px;
}
.neFileBlock p {
	margin: 0px 0px 0px 0px;
}
.neFileBlock .neFile {
	border-bottom: 1px dotted #aaa;
	padding-bottom: 5px;
	padding-top: 10px;
}
.neFileBlock .neCaption {
	font-size: 85%;
}
</style>
<div class='neFileBlock'>
<div class="neFile"><img class="neImage" src="https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Michael-Rosemellia-Duryea-cop-1-4.jpg">
<div class="neCaption">Rosemellia </div></div><div class="metaInfo"><photo0>https://www.timesleader.com/wp-content/uploads/2018/07/web1_Michael-Rosemellia-Duryea-cop-1-4.jpg</photo0><caption0>Rosemellia </caption0><photoCredit0></photoCredit0></div></div>
<div class="metaInfo"><bylineMeta><p>By Ed Lewis</p><p>elewis@www.timesleader.com</p></bylineMeta></div>