Montco man charged in $1.3 million fraud scheme

A Montgomery County man has been charged with insurance fraud for allegedly filing a $1.3 million false claim on storm damaged modular homes, the attorney general's office announced today.

Kevin P. Kollar, 48, of Pottstown, has been released on bail. He was also charged with theft and perjury.

According to court records, when questioned by law enforcement Kollar said he "forgot" the units were damaged prior to buying the insurance policy.

When reached by phone, Kollar declined to comment.

In early 2006, Kollar purchased over $1.4 million in modular homes from Sun Building Systems, located in Taylor. The units were delivered to an industrial complex in Pottstown. Just over a year later, Kollar advised the company that 48 boxes containing the sections of the homes needed to be relocated, according to court records.

A manager for Sun Building Systems found many of the boxes had sustained significant damage such as torn coverings, damaged roofs, ruined cabinets and appliances, damaged drywall and carpets. The manager photographed the damage and then rewrapped the damaged units, at Kollar's request, according to court records.

In May 2007, Kollar applied for a $1 million insurance policy from Vlahos Dunn Insurance in Pottstown issued by Markel Essex Insurance Company of Virginia for the modular townhouses.

In March 2007, he submitted a claim for $1.3 million wind and storm damage to the modular units. The claim was denied, according to court records.