Gothamist

A non-profit newsroom, powered by WNYC.

Gothamist

WNYC Listen Live

Donate

 

 

News

"Drowned" Man's Son Charged With Insurance Fraud


By

Garth Johnston

Published Aug 7, 2012

Modified Aug 7, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


Never miss a story

 Email address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .


By

Garth Johnston

Published Aug 7, 2012

Modified Aug 7, 2012


Share

FacebookTwitterRedditEmail


We rely on your support to make local news available to all

Make your contribution now and help Gothamist thrive in 2026. Donate today

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations

His drowning-faking father might want to kill him but right now 22-year-old Jonathan Roth has bigger things to worry about. Like the charges of insurance fraud, conspiracy to commit insurance fraud and falsely reporting an incident. Yup, when you face up to 15 years in prison, threats from your still missing father probably aren't your top priority.

As you'll recall, back on July 28th, Roth reported that his father, Raymond Roth, had disappeared while swimming off Jones Beach, which led to a large search operation. Only problem: Raymond hadn't gone missing at all. He'd tripled his life insurance and gone to Florida to await his payday. Unfortunately Raymond's wife Evana found e-mails between the father and son and the whole thing quickly unraveled—quite publicly.

Now the younger Roth is facing serious time behind bars, Raymond's wife Evana has filed for protection from her husband and began divorce proceedings. And Raymond? Well, it isn't quite clear where he is now. Police say he has returned to New York, but his location is unclear and for the moment the Nassau County district attorney's office says he has not been charged.

Tagged

drowning

evana roth

jonathan roth

jones beach

long island

Raymond Roth


Garth Johnston

Read more

Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


Gothamist is funded by sponsors and member donations


MORE news

6-month-old baby found unresponsive in Brooklyn home dies, NYPD says

Police said officers responding to a 911 call in Canarsie found the infant unconscious. The medical examiner will determine the cause of death.

By

Giulia Heyward

Published Aug 5, 2026 at 6:25 p.m. ET


Migrant kids, facing deportation, take on the US government alone in immigration court

A contract for legal services briefly expired, leaving many unaccompanied minors without the assistance of counsel.

By

Arya Sundaram

News

Migrant kids, facing deportation, take on the US government alone in immigration court

A contract for legal services briefly expired, leaving many unaccompanied minors without the assistance of counsel.

By

Arya Sundaram


Brooklyn man charged with arson in destructive blaze at historic Bushwick church

By

Samantha Max

New York lawmakers propose lifting 1985 ban on LGBTQ+ bathhouses

By

Giulia Heyward

1 dead, 14 injured in 5-alarm Bronx apartment fire after reported explosion

By

Ryan Kost


Never miss a story

Catch up on the most important headlines with a roundup of essential NYC stories, delivered to your inbox daily.

Sign upEmail address

By submitting your information, you're agreeing to receive communications from New York Public Radio in accordance with our Terms .