Nassau DA: Man accused of forging insurance papers

A Lynbrook-based contractor was charged with forging insurance certificates — and his failure to promptly prove he was insured cost his victim thousands of dollars in extra premiums, Nassau prosecutors said on Friday.

Donald McBride, 39, of Smallwood, New York, was arraigned Thursday on two counts of second-degree criminal possession of a forged instrument, a felony, and faces a maximum sentence of seven years, Nassau County District Attorney Madeline Singas said in a statement.

“Contractors who disregard the law and forge paperwork have no place doing business in Nassau County,” she said.

Court records show McBride is represented by Guy Allen of Hempstead, who was not immediately available to comment Friday.

The certificates he is accused of forging prove that contractors carry current policies for general liability and employers’ liability insurance and workers’ compensation, Singas said.

McBride was hired by the victim to work on commercial properties in Valley Stream and Lynbrook between December 2014 and December 2015, Singas said.

In May 2015, he agreed to provide the insurance documents at the request of the victim’s accountant.

McBride finished the projects in November 2015, but did not submit the paperwork until May 2016. His failure to do so obliged the victim to pay $6,528.08 in additional insurance premiums, Singas said.

McBride’s paperwork was determined to have been forged, based on the “inconsistent font style and size and other irregularities having to do with policy numbers,” Singas said.

The insurer said McBride never had the valid insurance policies needed for the victim’s construction jobs, she said.

McBride was arraigned before District Court Judge Paul Meli on Thursday, Singas said.

He was conditionally released to probation and must return to court on Aug. 17, Singas said.