Pa. officials searching for more victims after public adjuster charged with fraud

The owner of a public adjusting company is accused of fraud after taking money from insurers intended for his clients, according to the Bucks County District Attorney’s Office.

Michael Joseph Breitenbach, 53, is the owner of Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, and he is accused of misappropriating over $82,000 in insurance claims and defrauding elderly homeowners in both Pennsylvania and New Jersey, officials said.

Investigators explained that between September of 2023 and 2024, Breitenbach got at least eight checks from insurance companies and was supposed to distribute the money to his clients or contractors, but did not.

Victims said that their signatures were forged on checks and they never saw any of the money, officials said.

There were four victims who shared their stories with investigators. They include:

• A woman in Bensalem Township, Pa., who never received $14,000 from claims for storm damage.
• An elderly victim in Montgomery County, Pa., who was not given the $33,000 from a claim for a leak in her home.
• Another elderly victim in Trenton, NJ, who was defrauded of more than $18,000 from a property-damage claim
• There was also a woman in Hamilton Township, NJ, who was defrauded of more than $17,000.

Breitenbach is charged with insurance fraud, theft by deception, forgery and deceptive business practices.

Officials believe that there are more victims out there.

If you think you are victim of Breitenbach or of his business, Patriot Public Adjusting, LLC, please contact the Bucks County Detectives at 215-348-6354.

As of last check, there is no attorney listed for Breitenbach who could speak on his behalf.