An employee of a Somerset County, N.J., bus company faces multiple charges, including third-degree insurance fraud, for allegedly lying about coverage on several buses.

A county grand jury indictment alleges that Lisa Marie (Romano) Brunges, 38, of Bound Brook, N.J., an employee of Romano’s Bus Service, Inc. and relative of the owner, falsely claimed that the company’s buses were insured by Proformance Insurance Co., according to New Jersey Attorney General Anne Milgram and Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Greta Gooden Brown.

Between 2004 and June 2005, Brunges allegedly created fake insurance identification cards for each bus to imply insurance coverage when Proformance had previously cancelled Romano’s insurance policy, leaving the company without coverage after April 2004, according to the attorney general’s office.

A Romano’s bus struck a motor vehicle on June 7, 2005, which was insured by GEICO Indemnity Co.  It is alleged that Brunges advised GEICO that the bus was covered by Proformance when it was not.

Proformance of Freehold, N.J. ,was acquired last year by Palisades Safety and Insurance Association of Berkeley Heights, N.J.

In addition, the grand jury indictment alleges that Brunges falsified certificates of insurance in order to deceive the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission and the Bound Brook and Middlesex boards of education into believing the buses were insured.

Brunges faces third-degree insurance fraud, nine counts of third-degree simulating a motor vehicle insurance identification card, and three counts of fourth-degree falsifying records.

Third-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum punishment of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of $10,000.

Brunges also faces the possibility civil insurance fraud fines, according to Milgram’s office.