Public defender charged with arson, insurance fraud

By Sean Ruppert
   A Kendall Park man, who had been a Public Defender in Union County, has been charged with arson and insurance fraud.
   Mark Bailey, 36, was arrested at about 10:30 a.m. on Dec. 19 at his home, according to Union County Assistant Prosecutor David Hancock, who oversees the insurance fraud unit.
   Mr. Bailey is accused of falsely claiming to Plainfield police, and his insurance company, that his 2005 Ford vehicle had be stolen. He is also accused of destroying the vehicle by fire, according to Mr. Hancock.
   Mr. Hancock says that Mr. Bailey has been charged with third-degree arson and third-degree insurance fraud. Both charges carry a maximum penalty of five years in prison.
   According to Mr. Hancock, the public defender’s office where Mr. Bailey works was notified of the charges against him, and he has been removed from his Union County post, however he did not know if he had been fired or would be reassigned.
   Mr. Bailey is scheduled to appear before a judge on Jan. 9.