Trial ordered for Bucks County family accused in $20M insurance fraud

DOYLESTOWN, Pa. (WPVI) -- A judge has ordered members of a Bucks County family whose mansion had three fires in five years to stand trial in a $20 million insurance-fraud case.

Political fundraiser and hostess Claire Risoldi and her family are accused of living large on trumped-up insurance claims involving their 10-acre "Clairemont" estate.

Bucks County Judge C. Robert Roth's ruling Wednesday came after six days of preliminary hearing testimony.

A jewelry appraiser testified Claire Risoldi used "salty language" and discussed the Mafia during a meeting over her claims that millions of dollars in jewelry disappeared during a fire.

Defense lawyers say the fires were electrical and have vowed to fight the criminal charges.

Risoldi's husband killed himself in February. Her daughter, son and daughter-in-law are also charged.