Stiff penalty for falsified claim

It’s the kind of sentencing the industry has long lobbied for, with a theatre owner now providing a cautionary tale for all clients tempted to fudge the truth in triplicate

Catastrophe & Flood

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It’s the kind of sentencing members of the industry have long lobbied for, with a theatre owner now providing the cautionary tale.

A former Pennsylvania theatre owner convicted of falsifying insurance claims involving a flood at one playhouse and a fire at another has been sentenced to 2 1/2 years in prison.

Federal investigators say New Hope resident Ralph Miller also must pay nearly $240,000 in restitution for claiming losses including a previously sold Harley-Davidson motorcycle and a grand piano found safe at his home. The insurance claims involve the 2006 flooding at the Bucks County Playhouse and a 2009 fire at the Poconos Playhouse.

Officials say the 69-year-old Miller has been ordered to spend a year on home confinement when he leaves prison.

A jury convicted Miller of fraud and money laundering last year. He was sentenced Monday.

Miller had said he hired adjusters to do the work and did nothing wrong.

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