The Long Island man accused of staging his dad’s fake death pleaded not guilty today to insurance fraud and other charges.
Jonathan Roth, 22, and dad Raymond Roth, 47, launched a scheme to cash in on a $50,000 life insurance policy by staging the elder man’s phony drowning at Jones Beach on July 28, authorities said.
“The defendant [Jonathan Roth] stated … that he saw his father walk into the ocean and walk in chest high,” according New York State Park police, in an affidavit filed by prosecutors in Hempstead today.
“The defendant was present when a massive search of the waters and area was conducted.”
Investigators added: “The defendant at all times was fully aware that his father never walked into the water and had in fact driven off in his personal vehicle.”
Raymond Roth is still wanted.
A judge set Jonathan Roth’s bail at $10,000 for conspiracy, insurance fraud, making a false report and making a false statement.
A lawyer for the younger Roth declined comment, but his tearful girlfriend Kristi Mayleas said the unemployed warehouse worker doesn’t have the money to post bond.
“I don’t think he really knows what to do,” Mayleas said. “I still don’t think he knew anything about that [the plot for his dad’s fake death]. Yeah, I love him.”
She added: “If I thought he was guilty I wouldn’t be standing here.”
Mayleas said her boyfriend’s dad “dragged him into this.”
“I feel he should be the one in jail and arrested. His dad has put him through hell most of his life and this is where he ends up.”
The defendant’s step mom, Evana Roth, also blamed Raymond Roth for this mess.
“He let his son go through this,” she said.
Jonathan Roth tried to file an insurance claim on July 31.
Shortly after today’s hearing, Mayleas said she spoke to her jailbird boyfriend on the phone.
“I said `What is going on?’ But he wouldn’t reply,” she said. “He said that he can’t talk about it because it [the phone call] was being recorded. ”
Additional reporting by David K. Li