Court documents: Son admits he knew 'missing' swimmer was alive

Court documents obtained by News 12 Long Island show that the son who filed a missing persons report after his father supposedly disappeared in the waters off Jones Beach last week has admitted to helping his dad stage his own death to collect on a life insurance policy. Jonathan Roth, 22, is charged with insurance fraud, conspiracy and filing a false report, authorities say. He's being held on $10,000 bond or $5,000 cash, and he faces up to 15 years in prison if convicted. The documents obtained by News 12 Long Island show that Roth allegedly confessed yesterday to aiding his dad's escape to state park police. The documents say that when he signed the missing persons report, he knew his father had "left Jones Beach in his vehicle... to secretly flee to Florida." Back on July 28, Roth and his dad, Raymond Roth, left their Massapequa home to go to Jones Beach. According to police, the younger Roth reported that his dad had gone for a swim and disappeared in the water, setting off into a massive, days-long search on the taxpayers' dime. Four days later, Raymond Roth surfaced in South Carolina after getting a speeding ticket. He told police he'd return to Long Island, but hasn't turned up since. Raymond Roth's wife, Evana, held a press conference to say she found emails from her husband to his son that revealed the getaway plan. She says before her husband disappeared he emptied bank accounts, tripled his life insurance coverage, changed his will and put their Massapequa home up for sale. Evana Roth says she's the victim of abuse and obtained an order of protection against her husband yesterday. Her attorney says she's filing for divorce. Jonathan Roth's girlfriend, Kristi Mayleas, was in court today for his arraignment. She claims he was physically abused by his father when he was a child, and says she believes Raymond Roth is "pulling the strings."
Son of missing swimmer arrested, charged with fraudSwimmer's wife: Husband staged his death, stepson was in on itMissing Jones Beach swimmer found alive, possibly faked death