A Staten Island biker who sued the stars of TV's "American Chopper" for alleged shoddy workmanship was charged with insurance fraud after the upstate shop claimed he had reported his motorcycle stolen, then brought it in for repairs.
Thomas Schulman bought a custom-made bike from Orange County Choppers in 2003.
He reported the bike stolen in December 2005, and collected an insurance check for $39,500, authorities said.
Last July, Schulman, 51, got into an accident that he later claimed was caused by a defective rim on the bike.
Schulman sued Orange County Choppers, and the bike shop's own investigation showed that Schulman had reported the same bike stolen.
Schulman pleaded not guilty, said a spokesman for Staten Island DA Daniel Donovan.
