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May 2013

May 23, 2013
Two convicted by new jersey federal jury for scheme to rob drug dealers and sell their cocaine
Ralph Dennis and Terrance Hardee who plotted to rob a drug stash house in order to sell the stolen cocaine were convicted today by a federal jury in New Jersey of crimes related to the scheme.

Morris county, n.J., man sentenced to lengthy prison term for distributing videos of child sexual abuse over the internet
William Rensing, a Morris County, N.J., man was sentenced today in Camden federal court to 210 months in prison for distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse over the Internet.

Camden man sentenced to seven years in prison for unlawful possession of a stolen semiautomatic handgun
Bryon Goodman, a Camden man with prior felony convictions was sentenced today to 84 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a semiautomatic handgun.

May 22, 2013
New jersey doctor convicted by federal jury for writing illegal oxycodone presctiptions in drug distribution conspiracy
Michael Durante, an internal medicine specialist who wrote illegal prescriptions for oxycodone was convicted today by a federal jury in New Jersey for his role in a conspiracy that put tens of thousands of prescription pills on the streets for resale.

Former employee of timeshare consulting firm admits conspiring to defraud timeshare owners
Catherine Bannigan, a former employee of The Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties by offering phony consulting services.
Bannigan Information

Manager of international alien smuggling ring sentenced in new jersey to 51 months in prison
Sanderlei Alves DaCruz, a manager and supervisor of an international scheme responsible for smuggling into the United States hundreds of illegal aliens from Brazil, India and elsewhere was sentenced today to 51 months in prison.

Alleged conspirator arrested, four indicted for armed robberies of New jersey T-Mobile stores
FBI special agents arrested a Roslyn Heights, N.Y., man near his home this morning to face an indictment charging him and three other men with various offenses in connection with two armed robberies of T-Mobile stores in Linden and Woodbridge, N.J.
McQueen, Terrell et. al. Indictment

Somerset county, n.J., man charged with possession of child pornography
Patrick T. Deck, a Somerset County, N.J., man made his initial court appearance today after being arrested for allegedly possessing multiple, sexually suggestive images of children.
Deck Complaint

Personal trainer arrested for conspiracy to distribute steroids
Richard Gray, a Middlesex County, N.J., man who works as a personal trainer was arrested this morning for conspiring to distribute more than 89,000 units of anabolic steroids in both pill and liquid form.
Gray Complaint
Attachment A
Attachment B
Attachment C

May 21, 2013
Alleged fugitive sought for three years arrested in atlantic city
Edward Brown, Jr., a former Atlantic County man who has allegedly been a fugitive since being charged in 2010 with multiple crimes in connection with a large-scale heroin distribution conspiracy was arrested last night in Atlantic City.
Brown Superseding Indictment

May 17, 2013
new jersey law office employee indicted for possessing, distributing images of child sexual abuse from work computer
Kevin Rease, a registered sex offender employed at a law office in Paterson, N.J., was indicted today by a federal grand jury in Newark for allegedly possessing and distributing images of child sex abuse over the Internet.
Rease Indictment

May 16, 2013
Princeton, n.J., youth soccer coach arrested, charged with possessing images of sexually exploited children
Jorge A. Roman, a Princeton, N.J., youth soccer coach was arrested today after law enforcement officers searching his home allegedly discovered compromising, sexual movies of minor boys.
Roman Complaint

Camden, n.J., man allegedly exchanged more than $1 million in snap/Food stamp benefits for cash
Alexander Vargas, of Camden, N.J., who allegedly stole more than $1 million dollars from the U.S. Government through a food stamps scheme was arrested by federal agents this morning.
Vargas Complaint

May 15, 2013
bergen county, n.J., woman indicted in $2 million mortgage fraud scheme
Klary Arcentales, a Bergen County, N.J., woman was indicted today for her role in a long-running, large-scale mortgage fraud scheme that caused millions of dollars in losses.
Arcentales Indictment

brooklyn, n.Y., man charged with bank robbery
John Edward Stevens, a Brooklyn, N.Y., man who was arrested in April in connection with a Bergen County bank robbery will make his initial court appearance today.
Stevens Complaint

May 14, 2013
South carolina man sentenced to 10 years in prison for transporting stolen weapons into new jersey
Bevan Holston, a South Carolina man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for his role in transporting into New Jersey 22 firearms that were stolen from gun shops in Tennessee and North Carolina.

Camden county, n.J., man sentenced to 10 years in prison for conspiring to distribute 13 kilograms of cocaine
Jamal Herrin, a Camden County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 120 months in prison for attempting to purchase 13 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in and through New Jersey.

Three arrested, charged in new jersey for multimillion-Dollar Fraud offering phony “pre-ipo” facebook shares
Federal law enforcement officers with the FBI and IRS-Criminal Investigation arrested three men at their homes this morning on charges they stole approximately $6.7 million from an investor, in part by claiming special access to shares in the social media company Facebook Inc., prior to the company’s initial public offering.
Weinstein, Eliyahu et. al. Criminal Complaint

Owner of new jersey aircraft parts brokerage company arrested, charged with laundering scrapped jet engine parts
Gideon Vaisman, the owner of an aircraft parts broker in Ridgefield, N.J., will appear in Newark federal court today following his arrest last night for an alleged conspiracy to launder scrapped jet engine parts.
Vaisman Criminal Complaint

California man sentenced to prison, ordered to pay $1.5 million for scheme that swindled new jersey investors
Robert Schroy, a man who perpetrated a million-dollar investment fraud from California that defrauded New Jersey victims was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for crimes related to the scheme.

Passaic county man admits role in long-Running, international counterfeit goods trafficking scheme
Aref Abuhadba, a Passaic County, N.J., man today admitted participating in a multi-year, international conspiracy to traffic in counterfeit goods.
Abuhadba Information

May 13, 2013
Union official from jersey city local sentenced to six months in prison for embezzling money
Stephen Arena, the president of Local 148 of the Production Workers Union was sentenced today to six months in prison for conspiring with the secretary-treasurer/recording secretary to steal money from the union by taking unauthorized salary increases and bonuses.

Organizer of international securities fraud ring sentenced to prison for using hackers to falsely inflate stock prices
Christopher Rad, the central organizer of a worldwide conspiracy to manipulate stock prices through a “botnet” network of virus-controlled computers was sentenced today in Trenton federal court to 71 months in prison.

man who recorded girls with hidden camera sentenced to 15 years in prison for production of child pornography
Ronald Oshrin, a Morris County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 180 months in prison for using hidden cameras to record young girls in his home.

Hudson county, n.J., man admits paying bribes for $3.5 million line of credit
Rolando Cribeiro, a Hudson County, N.J., man today admitted his role in paying bribes valued at $49,000 to a bank officer at Mariner’s Bank in Edgewater, N.J., to renew a $3.5 million line of credit.
Cribeiro Information

May 10, 2013
three former employees of timeshare consulting firm admit conspiring to defraud timeshare owners
Three former employees of The Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties by offering phony consulting services.
Reiff Information
Sawyer Information
Cox Superseding Information

May 9, 2013

Passaic county, n.J., man charged with possession of child pornography
Anthony Chiampi, a Passaic County, N.J., man was arrested today after law enforcement officers discovered alleged child pornography at his residence.
Chiampi Complaint

May 8, 2013

Former carteret high school vice principal pleads guilty to possession of child pornography
Nicholas Sysock, a Rahway, N.J., man who was the vice principal at Carteret High School admitted today that he possessed child pornography.
Sysock Information

former newark police officer pleads guilty to conspiracy to commit section 8 fraud
Suliaman Kamara, a former Newark police officer admitted today that he conspired with another individual to fraudulently obtain payments under the federal public housing assistance program known as “Section 8."
Kamara Information

englishtown, n.J., pharmacy burgular admits conspiracy to sell stolen oxycodone
James Zarbailov, a Brooklyn, N.Y., man admitted today to his involvement in a plot to burglarize a pharmacy in Englishtown, N.J., and sell stolen narcotics for cash.
Zarbailov Information

Mercer county, n.J., man charged with possession of child pornography
Fredy Arbito, a Mercer County, N.J., man will have his initial court appearance on child pornography charges in New Jersey after having been arrested by local authorities in Panama and returned to the United States in early April, where he was arrested by special agents from the Department of Homeland Security.
Arbito Complaint

May 7, 2013

Union county, n.J., man arrested, charged with distributing images of chilld sexual abuse
Law enforcement officers arrested a Union County, N.J., man, Andrew Johnson, today after discovering alleged child pornography on his home computer during a search following an undercover investigation.
Johnson Criminal Complaint

May 6, 2013

Singer and actress lauryn hill sentenced to prison for failing to file tax returns for more than $2.3 million in income
Lauryn N. Hill, the Grammy-winning singer and actress, was sentenced today to three months in prison and three months of home confinement with electronic monitoring for not reporting more than $2.3 million in income by intentionally failing to file tax returns for five years.

May 2, 2013

Two former employees of clinical laboratory admit roles in Multimillion-Dollar cash-For-Referral scheme
Two former sales representatives of Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS) admitted today to conspiring with others to bribe doctors to refer patient blood samples to BLS.
Breihof Information
Dailey Information

May 1, 2013

Former resident of hudson county, n.J., admits defrauding hospitalized, elderly widow
Ralph Cozzino, a former Hudson County, N.J., resident admitted today that he defrauded an elderly woman of approximately $279,000 while she was hospitalized for cancer treatment.
Cozzino Indictment

April 2013

April 30, 2013

Former employee of new jersey timeshare consulting firm admits separate mortgage and unemployment scams
Francis Santore, a former employee in the New Jersey offices of the Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted today he conspired to defraud owners of timeshare properties by offering phony consulting services while also illegally collecting unemployment benefits.
Santore Superseding Information

Ocean county, n.J., attorney admits income tax evasion and failing to pay payroll taxes
Lee Gottesman, an Ocean County, N.J., attorney admitted today to evading federal income taxes, after hiding assets in an attorney trust account in his wife’s name when he was already in debt to the IRS.
Gottesman Indictment

New jersey couple arrested, federally charged with abusing their children in cruel “Training” program
A U.S. Army major surrendered to federal agents following his wife’s arrest at their Mount Holly, N.J., home this morning on charges that they abused their children through neglectful and cruel acts, including by breaking their bones, denying them medical attention, withholding water and force-feeding them hot sauce.
Jackson et. al. Indictment

April 29, 2013

Middlesex county, n.J., man charged with bank robbery in saddle brook, n.J.
Jorge Rodriguez, a Middlesex County, N.J. man made his initial appearance in federal court today following his arrest in connection with a bank robbery, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Rodriguez Complaint

Senior vice president of operations at white rose food pleads guilty to tax evasion
John Annetta, the senior vice president of operations of an independent wholesale food distributor admitted today to evading taxes on income he received from third parties.
Annetta Information

South jersey man admits stealing father’s benefit checks for 22 years after his death
Michael Shelton, a south Jersey man who hid his father’s death from authorities to keep his Social Security payments admitted today to stealing more than $200,000 in retirement savings benefits paid out to the deceased.
Shelton Information

insurance agent pleads guilty to personal income tax evasion
Ronald Patetta, an insurance agent admitted today he evaded paying taxes related to income derived from his sale of insurance products from 2001 through 2005.
Patetta Indictment

April 24, 2013

registered sex offender charged with distributing images of child sexual abuse from new jersey law office computer
Kevin Rease, a registered sex offender employed at a law office in Paterson, N.J., will appear in court today following his arrest at the office late yesterday after law enforcement officers discovered alleged child pornography on his work computer.
Rease Complaint

April 22, 2013

former jersey city council candidate admits mishandling contributions
Former Jersey City Council candidate Lori Serrano today admitted to converting federal funds illegally for her own use.
Serrano Superseding Information

April 18, 2013

Two essex county, n.J., men admit roles in armed robbery of jewelry store
Two Essex County, N.J., men today admitted their roles in the armed robbery of the Golden Palace jewelry store in Orange.
Moore, Antonio et. al. Indictment
Madison, Charles Information

Former employee of new jersey timeshare consulting firm admits separate mortgage and unemployment scams
Brian Corley, a former employee in the New Jersey offices of the Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted today to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties by offering phony consulting services while also illegally collecting unemployment benefits.
Corley Superseding Information

April 17, 2013

owner of auto repair shop servicing government vehicles admits bribing government official
Taras Maczaj, the owner of Autotron Systems Inc., an auto repair shop that provided auto repair services to numerous government agencies, admitted today that he paid bribes to a federal agent in exchange for the agent’s assistance in referring government business to Autotron and expediting and inflating payments.
Maczaj Information

April 15, 2013

two new jersey men sentenced to decades in prison for conspiring to kill overseas with designated foreign terrorist organization al shabaab
Mohamed Hamoud Alessa and Carlos Eduardo Almonte, two New Jersey men convicted for conspiring to travel to Somalia to join a terrorist group and murder individuals whose beliefs and practices did not align with their extremist ideology were sentenced today to 22 and 20 years in prison, respectively.

Newark, n.J., man sentenced to 55 months in prison for carjacking
Anthony Reynolds, of Newark was sentenced today to 55 months in prison for his role in a carjacking on March 14, 2012.

April 12, 2013

scripps media heir convicted at trial for stealing millions from family
Michael Scripps, an heir to the Scripps Media fortune was convicted today by a federal jury in Philadelphia for embezzling $3.6 million from members of his family to fund his lavish lifestyle.

Defendant admits role in $65 million stolen identity income tax refund fraud scheme
Luis Martinez, a North Carolina man today admitted his role in one of the nation’s largest and longest running stolen identity refund fraud schemes ever prosecuted.
Martinez Information

April 11, 2013

former employee of timeshare consulting firm admits fraud conspiracy and unemployment fraud
Alfred Giordano, a former employee of The Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted today to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties.
Giordano Superseding Information

pennsylvania man admits robbing two banks in one month
Odel Taitt, a Pennsylvania man today admitted robbing two banks, one in New Jersey and one in Pennsylvania, in October 2011.
Taitt Information

Former mortgage broker and bank officer admits conspiring to defraud bank in connection with $1.48 million loan
James Cockinos, a former mortgage broker and bank officer today admitted his role in conspiring to commit bank fraud in order to secure a $1.48 million residential real estate loan.
Cockinos Information

Essex county, n.J., man admits credit card fraud
Abdullah Bryant, an Essex County, N.J., man today admitted his role in a scheme to illegally obtain and use duplicate credit cards.
Bryant Information

April 10, 2013

Prominent tri-State cardiologist admits record $19 million billing fraud scheme, exposing patients to unskilled and unnecessary medical treatment
Jose Katz, a well-known cardiologist and the founder, CEO, and sole owner of a pair of large medical services companies in New Jersey and New York admitted today to conspiring in a multimillion-dollar health care fraud scheme that subjected thousands of patients to unnecessary tests and potentially life-threatening, unneeded treatment, as well as treatment by unlicensed or untrained personnel.
Katz Information

newark police officer sentenced to four years in prison for defrauding bank of $1.9 million loan and bribing bank employee
Newark Police Officer Victor Patela was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to commit bank fraud, bank fraud, two counts of loan application fraud and bank bribery, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

April 9, 2013

atlantic city, n.J., tax preparer admits filing fraudulent income tax returns and becoming a united states citizen by fraud
Nicolas Gomez-Rua, an Atlantic City, N.J., tax preparer today admitted his role in aiding and assisting the preparation of false income tax returns, illegal use of Social Security numbers and unlawfully obtaining United States’ citizenship.
Gomez-Rua Indictment

Bergen county, n.J., woman admits making false statements to homeland security
Vaidehi A. Patel, a Bergen County, N.J., woman today admitted making false statements to special agents of Homeland Security Investigations.
Patel Information

clinical laboratory president and new jersey doctor, others Charged with company in multimillion-Dollar cash for referral scheme
Federal agents arrested the president and part-owner of Parsippany, N.J.-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS), a New Jersey physician and two other BLS employees this morning on charges they participated in a long-running scheme to bribe doctors to refer patient blood samples to BLS and to order unnecessary tests, resulting in tens of millions of dollars in profit for the company.
BLS et. al. Complaint

Seven people arrested in connection with camden drug gang
Agents of the FBI, the N.J. State Police and detectives and investigators of the Camden Police Department and Camden County Prosecutor’s Office arrested seven people this morning for their alleged involvement with an illegal drug trafficking operation in Camden.
Wiles et. al. Complaint
Wiles Complaint
Pulliam Complaint
Gould Complaint
Mims Complaint
Jackson Complaint
Thomas-Randall Complaint
Gideon Complaint
Lewis Complaint

East orange, n.J., construction official sentenced to 18 months in prison for extortion
Kim Davis, a longtime construction official in the property maintenance department of the City of East Orange, N.J., was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for extorting money from a property owner in exchange for the official’s assistance in city government matters.

April 5, 2013

Middlesex county, n.J., man sentenced to 60 months in prison for distributing videos of child sexual abuse
Jacob Rios, a Middlesex County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 60 months in prison for distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse over the Internet, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.

U.S. attorney and head of IRS newark field office remind taxpayers filing deadline is near
As the April 15 deadline for filing taxes approaches, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman and Shantelle P. Kitchen IRS-Criminal Investigations Acting Special Agent in Charge, Newark Field Office, are reminding taxpayers to accurately and completely fill out their returns and make sure they file them on time.

April 3, 2013

West new york, n.J., man sentenced to 210 months in prison for armed bank robbery
Maximo Castro, a West New York, N.J., man was sentenced today to 210 months in prison for robbing a TD Bank branch in Weehawken, N.J., on May 31, 2011.

Atlantic county, n.J., man admits role in heroin conspiracy
Nassaun Hines, an Atlantic County, N.J., man today admitted his involvement in a scheme to distribute heroin in and through New Jersey.
Hines Superseding Information

Staten island, n.Y. man pleads guilty in jewelry store robbery
Robert A. Fiolka, a Staten Island, N.Y., man today admitted his role in the robbery of Blue Stove Antiques in Fair Haven, N.J., on June 2, 2012.
Fiolka Information

April 2, 2013

Jury convicts essex county, n.J., man in armed robbery and shooting of retired police officer
James Sodano, a Essex County, N.J., man was convicted by a federal jury in Trenton federal court today on all counts related to the robbery and shooting of a retired police officer working as an armed money courier.

Member of white supremacist group admits role in hate crime assault
Michal Gunar, a Mercer County, N.J., man today admitted his role in the New Year’s Eve 2011 hate crime assault of two Middle Eastern men in Sayreville.
Gunar Indictment

Coin dealer formerly from hackensack is indicted on federal tax charges
Gantcho Zagorski, a federal grand jury in Newark today returned a three-count Indictment charging a former Bergen County dealer in ancient coins, with aiding and assisting in the filing of false federal income tax returns.
Zagorski Indictment

hunterdon county, n.J., man sentenced to 15 years in prison for distributing videos of child sexual abuse over the internet
John Livoti, a Hunterdon County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 15 years in prison for distributing images of child sexual abuse over the Internet.

Two former executives of athletic equipment company admit extensive fraud on new jersey schools
Mitchell Kurlander and Alan Abeshaus, the former chief financial officer and chief executive officer of a leading supplier of athletic equipment and reconditioning services today admitted their roles in a conspiracy to defraud schools in New Jersey and elsewhere.
Kurlander, Mitchell Et Al. Indictment (Circle Systems)

April 1, 2013

monmouth county, n.J., man sentenced to 41 months in prison for distributing images of child sexual abuse via blackberry
John Nutt, a Monmouth County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for using his Blackberry smartphone to distribute images of child sexual abuse, including to a stranger in Nevada.

Passaic county, n.J., man sentenced to 51 months in prison for conspiring to distribute black market painkillers
Bahadir Yahsi, a Passaic County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 51 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy to distribute the prescription painkiller Oxycodone and MDMA, an illegal drug commonly known as “ecstasy."

March 2013

March 28, 2013

south jersey doctor admits making half a million dollars in fraud scheme involving home health care for elderly patients
Lori Reaves, a physician who was the owner and founder of Visiting Physicians of South Jersey – a Hammonton, N.J., provider of home-based physician services for seniors –pleaded guilty today for charging lengthy visits to elderly patients that they did not receive.
Reaves Information

March 27, 2013

Mercer county, n.J., woman admits role in oxycodone ring
Stephanie Lima, a Mercer County, N.J., woman today admitted she conspired with Joseph “JoJo” Giorgianni, Charles Hall III and others to illegally distribute oxycodone pain pills.
Lima Information

March 26, 2013

Thirty-Four People Charged In Connection With Takedown of Violent Drug Trafficking Organization
Twenty-five people associated with a criminal street gang that allegedly used threats, intimidation and violence to maintain control of the illegal drug trade in Atlantic City were arrested today in pre-dawn raids by agents of the FBI, the N.J. State Police and officers of the Atlantic City Police Department.
Dirty Block Complaint
Abdullah, Ibn Complaint
Allen, Kamal Complaint
Allen Rashada Complaint
Bailey, Kareem Complaint
Bishop, Wanda Complaint
Boston,Wallace Complaint
Brown, Jodi Complaint
Cherry, Latasha Complaint
Davis, Ronald Complaint
Davis, Terry Complaint
Derry, Malik Complaint
Derry, Mykal Complaint
Duncan, Quasim Complaint
Ellis, Tyrone Complaint
Frye, Mark Complaint
Harvey, Jeffrey Complaint
Hayes, Kasan Complaint
Johnson, Ronald Complaint
Mack, Raymond Complaint
Macon, Lamar Complaint
Qureshi, Ambrin Complaint
Simms, Franklin Complaint
Spellman, Kimberly Complaint
Spence, Laquay Complaint
Spencer, Shaamel Complaint
Strong, Rayshell Complaint
Taylor, Patricia Complaint
Thomas, Maurice Complaint
Toulson, Aree Complaint
Townsend, Dwayne Complaint
Turner, Tiarrah Complaint
Venable, Dominique Complaint
Young, Kareem Complaint
Zaffa, Saeed Complaint

March 25, 2013

Former employee of new jersey defense contractor sentenced to 70 months in prison for exporting sensitive military technology to china
Sixing Liu, a former New Jersey-based defense contractor employee – who was convicted by a federal jury for exporting sensitive U.S. military technology to the People’s Republic of China (PRC), stealing trade secrets and lying to federal agents – was sentenced today to 70 months in prison.

March 22, 2013

Owner of nellie’s provisions pleads guilty to tax evasion
Nicholas Papanier Sr., the owner of a meat distribution company admitted today to evading taxes related to income diverted from his companies for his personal use.
Papanier Information

Former hamilton township, n.J., official sentenced to 18 months in prison for laundering bribe money paid to mayor
Robert Warney, the former director of Community Planning and Compliance for Hamilton Township, N.J., who admitted laundering a $5,000 bribe from an insurance broker to township Mayor John Bencivengo, was sentenced today to 18 months in prison.

Purported real estate investor and alleged straw buyer charged in new jersey with $13 million mortgage fraud scheme
Two alleged conspirators in a $13 million mortgage fraud scam that used phony documents and straw buyers to make illegal profits on overbuilt condos at the Jersey shore are charged in connection with the scheme.
Leadbeater, John et. al. Superseding Indictment

March 21, 2013

Monmouth county, n.J., man admits to filing false personal income tax returns omitting swiss bank accounts
Rakesh Chitkara, a Monmouth County, N.J., man today admitted filing false personal federal income tax returns.
Chitkara Information

Warren county, n.J., man sentenced to 48 months in prison for possessing images of child sexual abuse
Leonard Ramirez, of Warren County, N.J., was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for possessing images on his computer and an external hard drive of children being sexually abused, including violent video images.

Union county, n.J., man charged with distributing images and videos of child sexual abuse
John Ellenbacher, of Linden, N.J., was arrested yesterday and charged for allegedly distributing child pornography from his home computer.
Ellenbacher Complaint

Shipping corporations to pay $10.4 million for environmental crimes on four ship
Two shipping firms based in Germany and Cyprus today pleaded guilty to felony obstruction of justice charges and violating the Act to Prevent Pollution from Ships related to the deliberate concealment of vessel pollution from four ships that visited ports in New Jersey, Delaware and Northern California.
New Jersey Information
Delaware Information
Joint Factual Statement
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Photo 4

March 20, 2013

mercer county, n.J. woman admits involvement in trenton, n.J. oxycodone ring
Carol Kounitz, a Mercer County, N.J., woman today admitted her role in conspiring with Joseph “JoJo” Giorgianni, Charles Hall III and others to illegally distribute oxycodone pain pills.
Kounitz Information

bergen county, n.J., man admits downloading images and videos of child sexual abuse
Joseph Anthony Amari, a Bergen County, N.J., man today admitted knowingly receiving over the Internet images and videos of child sexual abuse.
Amari Indictment

Former city of hoboken iT manager pleads guilty to illegally Intercepting and Disclosing e-mails intended for hoboken mayor and top city officials
Patrick Ricciardi, a former management information systems specialist for the city of Hoboken pleaded guilty today for intercepting communications meant for the mayor of Hoboken and top city officials and passing some of those communications on to other officials.
Ricciardi Information

bergen county, n.J., man sentenced to 54 months in prison for conspiring to defraud investors of $1 million through bogus investments
Joseph Suarez, the former New Jersey-based operator of Suarez Investment and Development LLC was sentenced today to 54 months in prison for his role in a conspiracy that bilked victims out of $1 million through fraudulent investment schemes.

Disbarred new jersey attorney sentenced to three years in prison for failing to report tax preparation income
Joseph Gallagher, a tax preparer and disbarred New Jersey lawyer was sentenced today to 36 months in prison for submitting false tax returns or failing to file returns for five years, resulting in a tax loss to the government of more than $1.1 million.

March 19, 2013

Two plead guilty in trenton, n.J., narcotics ring
A Mercer County, N.J., man today admitted his role in a conspiracy to distribute oxycodone pain pills, U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced. An Atlantic City, N.J., man also admitted to engaging in related drug transactions by obtaining oxycodone pills and to being a felon in possession of a firearm.
Scordato Information
Brown Information

Contractors arrested for fraud, arson and aggravated assault
Two principals of a Pennsylvania construction company were arrested today in connection with an employee kickback scheme that occurred during a reconstruction project at the Ft. Dix military base in Burlington County.
Santos, Leonard et. al. Superseding Indictment

March 18, 2013

Jury finds attorney paul w. bergrin guilty on all counts after racketeering trial
A jury has convicted attorney Paul W. Bergrin, 57, of Nutley, N.J., of all 23 counts on which he was tried, including conspiracy to murder a witness and other racketeering, cocaine and prostitution offenses.

FEMA Contractor admits illegally accepting gratuity from victim of hurricane irene
Tara Fannin-Mark, a Texas woman working as a contractor for the Federal Emergency Management Agency (“FEMA”) admitted today that she demanded and received an illegal gratuity from a New Jersey resident who had applied for FEMA assistance for property damaged by Hurricane Irene.
Fannin-Mark Information

Four men arrested for distributing bath salts at area colleges
Three New Jersey men and one New York man have been arrested in connection with a scheme to allegedly distribute kilogram amounts a controlled substance commonly known as “bath salts.
Jobes Complaint

former vice president at prism career institute sentenced to two years in prison for stealing more than $400,000
Diane Bowler, a former vice president of operations at Prism Career Institute, a private, post-secondary educational institution with campuses in Cherry Hill, N.J., Egg Harbor Township, N.J., and Pennsylvania, was sentenced today to 24 months in prison for stealing more than $400,000 from her employer between 2008 and 2011.

New york man sentenced to 41 months in prison For hacking AT&T’s servers
Andrew Auernheimer, the head of a self-described “security research” hacking group was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for breaching AT&T’s servers, stealing e-mail addresses and other personal information belonging to approximately 120,000 Apple iPad users, and disclosing that information to an Internet magazine.

March 15, 2013

camden county, n.J., man sentenced to 163 months in prison for robbing three banks
Richard B. Jones, a Camden County, N.J., man today was sentenced to 163 months in prison for robbing three banks in Pennsauken, N.J., in November 2011 while on federal supervised release for bank robbery.

monmouth county, n.J., man sentenced to 71 months in prison for defrauding 16 people of $1.2 million
Brian McCahery, a Monmouth County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 71 months in prison for defrauding 16 victims, including friends and family, of $1.2 million in an investment fraud scheme.

March 14, 2013

Three indicted in mercer county narcotics distribution scheme
A federal grand jury in Trenton today returned a six-count Indictment charging Joseph A. “Jojo” Giorgianni, Mary Manfredo, and Anthony Dimatteo with distribution of oxycodone.
Giorgianni, Joseph et. al. Indictment

March 13, 2013

middlesex county, n.J., man charged with five bank robberies
Peter Greer, a New Brunswick, N.J. man has been arrested in connection with five bank robberies.
Greer Complaint

former hamilton township, N.J., mayor sentenced to 38 months in prison for extortion, bribery, money laundering
John Bencivengo, the former mayor of Hamilton Township, N.J., was sentenced today to 38 months in prison in connection with $12,400 in bribes he solicited and accepted in exchange for his official influence in helping a health insurance broker maintain her contract with the township’s school district.

hudson county, N.J., man charged with production of child pornography
A federal grand jury today indicted Gregory John Schaffer, a Hudson County, N.J., man for producing and possessing images and videos of child pornography.
Schaffer Indictment

March 12, 2013

Essex county, n.J., woman arrested for fraud scheme that targeted elderly individuals
Terrell Brunson, an Essex County, N.J., woman was arrested this morning for engaging in a credit card fraud and identity theft scheme in which she targeted elderly women, fraudulently obtained their personal information, and used it to open new credit cards or access existing credit cards belonging to these individuals.
Brunson Complaint

former u.S. army corps of engineers employee sentenced to 13 years in prison for multimillion-Dollar bribery, kickback scheme
John Alfy Salama Markus , a former U.S. Army Corps of Engineers (USACE) Project Engineer deployed to Tikrit, Iraq, during Operation Iraqi Freedom was sentenced today to 156 months in prison for taking at least $3.7 million in bribes and kickbacks in connection with more than $50 million in USACE contracts awarded to foreign companies in Gulf Region North, Iraq.

March 11, 2013

Middlesex county woman admits role In identity theft-Tax fraud case
Patriciah Omari, a Middlesex County woman today admitted her role in a scheme to fraudulently obtain a federal tax refund by filing a false claim with the IRS.
Omari Superseding Information

Pennsylvania prison inmate sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending threatening letter to district judge in philadelphia
William Brown, an inmate in the Pennsylvania State Prison system today was sentenced to 30 months in prison for sending a threatening letter to a federal judge in the Eastern District of Pennsylvania.

March 8, 2013

Hudson county, n.J., woman sentenced to 24 months in prison for using her deceased aunt’s identity in bank fraud scheme
Jocelyn Russo, a Hudson County, N.J., woman today was sentenced to 24 months in prison for using the identity of her deceased aunt to obtain access to credit card and deposit accounts, causing three banks to lose more than $30,000.

March 7, 2013

Two men charged with real estate investment fraud scheme
Paul Mancuso and Pasquale Stiso were arrested this morning and charged with engaging in a real estate investment fraud conspiracy that defrauded more than fifteen victims of approximately $5 million from 2009 to the present.
Mancuso, Paul et al. Criminal Complaint

Three south jersey individuals plead guilty to defrauding fema relating to major disasters
Three individuals today admitted to disaster benefits fraud relating to a presidential disaster declaration for the state of New Jersey after the nor’easter in 2010 and Hurricane Irene in 2011.
Hicks Information
Wright Information
Stevens Information

Former employee of timeshare consulting firm pleads guilty to fraud conspiracy
Aimee Allen, a former employee of The Vacation Ownership Group, LLC admitted today to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties.
Allen Information

March 5, 2013

Union county, n.J., man sentenced to 105 month in prison for robbing seven tD banks
Julio Ferrer, a Union County, N.J., man today was sentenced to105 months in prison for robbing seven branch locations of TD Bank throughout New Jersey from September 2011 to December 2011.

Par pharmaceutical companies inc. pleads guilty, admits misbranding of megace® es
New Jersey-based Par Pharmaceutical Companies Inc. (“Par”) pleaded guilty in federal court today and agreed to pay $45 million to resolve its criminal and civil liability in the company’s promotion of its prescription drug Megace® ES for uses not approved as safe and effective by the Food and Drug Administration (FDA) and not covered by federal health care programs, the Justice Department announced.
Par Pharmaceutical Information
Par Pharmaceutical Plea Agreement

March 4, 2013

Florida resident sentenced to 33 months in prison for securities and investment fraud scheme
Scott Kupersmith, formerly of Alpine, N.J., and now living in Marco Island, Fla., was sentenced to 33 months in prison for engaging in a sophisticated securities and investment fraud scheme.

Newark, n.J., businessman sentenced to two years’ probation for extortion conspiracy
Newark, N.J., businessman Sonnie Cooper was sentenced today to two years of probation, including eight months of home confinement, for his part in an extortion conspiracy in which a former Newark deputy mayor official used his official position to steer demolition work to Cooper’s trucking company.

March 1, 2013

bergen county, n.J., man admits role in two separate fraud schemes
George Sepero, a Bergen County, N.J., man who claimed to run New Jersey-based hedge funds using a secret computer program to invest in foreign currency admitted today he defrauded victims out of millions of dollars, defrauded an elderly, disabled widow out of her life savings, and evaded payment of taxes.
Sepero Superseding Information

forfeiture of more than $15M worth of artwork sought by u.S. attorney’s office
The United States has filed a civil asset forfeiture Complaint seeking a collection of artwork containing more than 2,200 pieces and valued at more than $15 million.
Green Diesel Complaint
Green Diesel Exhibit A - Schedule of Seized Artwork

burlington county, n.J., woman sentenced to one year of home confinement, five years of probation, for trying to hide cash
Sandra Mastoris, a Burlington County, N.J., woman was sentenced today to 12 months of home confinement and five years of probation for making cash deposits totaling more than $700,000 in amounts of less than $10,000 each in order to avoid having banks file a report on her deposits.

February 2013

February 28, 2013

Essex county, n.J., man admits role in two bank robberies
Alfred Ferguson, an Essex County, N.J., man today admitted robbing the Garden State Community Bank in Newark, N.J., on two separate occasions.
Ferguson Information

Essex county, n.J., man admits transporting explosive materials
Anthony Nicholas Gallo, an Essex County, N.J., man today admitted transporting explosive chemicals in a piece of polyvinyl chloride, or PVC, pipe to Pennsylvania without a federal license or permit.
Gallo Information

Mercer county, n.J., man sentenced to 30 years in prison for robbing the same bank twice, carjacking a car and shooting two people
Jeffrey Garrett, a Mercer County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 30 years in prison for robbing a bank and returning nine months later to rob the same bank, carjacking a vehicle and shooting two people in the course of that conduct.

February 27, 2013

philadelphia man sentenced to 12 months in prison for role in forging u.S. postal service money orders
Yacouba Magadji, a Philadelphia man was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for his role in a conspiracy to forge U.S. Postal Service money orders.

Two admit mortgage fraud conspiracy and money laundering
Timothy Ricks, a former property manager admitted today to conspiring to defraud financial institutions and launder stolen funds as part of a $15 million mortgage fraud scam that used phony documents and “straw buyers” to make illegal profits on overbuilt condos. Last week, Orlando Allen, a Georgia man also admitted to conspiring to defraud financial institutions and launder stolen funds as part of the same scam.
Ricks, Timothy Et Al. Superseding Indictment

Former trenton, n.J., city employee admits involvement in corruption and narcotics conspiracies
Charles Hall III, a former Trenton city employee today admitted his participation in a bribery scheme involving Trenton Mayor Tony F. Mack, the mayor’s brother, Ralphiel Mack, and close associate, Joseph A. “JoJo” Giorgianni.
Hall Information

middlesex county, n.J., man charged with trafficking in counterfeit male enhancement pills and money laundering
Shuja Ali, Syed, a Middlesex County, N.J. man was charged today with trafficking in counterfeit male enhancement supplements imported from China and with laundering proceeds of more than $1 million.
Syed Complaint

February 26, 2013

middlesex county, n.J., man admits tax evasion and concealing $1.2M in income in undeclared indian bank accounts
Sameer Gupta, a Middlesex County, N.J., man who co-owns and operates a wholesale adult paraphernalia business in New York City today admitted concealing more than a million dollars in income in various domestic and foreign bank accounts.
Gupta Information

Owner of ocean county, n.J., architectural firm admits submitting false corporate returns
Pravin H. Patel, the owner of an Ocean County, N.J. architectural and engineering firm today admitted filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of his firm.
Patel Information

February 22, 2013

Middlesex county, N.J., man charged with production and distribution of child pornography
Kenneth Christensen, a Middlesex County, N.J., man was arrested today for allegedly producing and distributing numerous images of child pornography, some taken in his own bedroom.
Christensen Complaint

Middlesex county, nJ, man sentenced to 18 months in prison for attempted escape from hospital while in federal custody
Joseph Vitale, a Middlesex County, N.J., man who was in custody awaiting a hearing for allegedly violating conditions of his federal supervised release was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for attempting to flee from a Trenton hospital.

February 21, 2013

Burlington county, n.J., man sentenced to 18 months in prison for defrauding charity
Sean J. Smith, the director of operations at a warehouse for a non-profit organization was sentenced today to 18 months in prison for defrauding the charity of $101,927.

Newark man admits role in scheme to steal checks from u.S. mail
Kurtis Steele, a Newark man today admitted his role in a scheme to gain access to personal checks from the U.S. mail, fraudulently endorse and deposit them into personal checking accounts.
Steele Information

February 20, 2013

essex county, n.J., man sentenced to 130 months in prison for armed carjacking
Alhakim Young, an Essex County man was sentenced today to 130 months in prison for his role in an armed carjacking in Elizabeth, N.J., on Jan. 25, 2011.

February 19, 2013

Former south plainfield, n.J., police captain charged with sexually exploiting a minor
Michael Grennier, a former South Plainfield, N.J., police captain is charged with the sexual exploitation of a minor female after enticing the girl to live-stream sexually explicit acts via the Internet.
Grennier Complaint

February 15, 2013

essex county, n.J., man sentenced to 118 months in prison for armed carjacking
Jermaine May, an Essex County man was sentenced today to 118 months in prison for his role in an armed carjacking in Elizabeth, N.J., on Jan. 25, 2011.

February 14, 2013

morris county, n.J., man sentenced to 41 months in prison for possession of child pornography
Steve Goni, a Morris County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 41months in prison for possessing child pornography on two laptop computers at his residence.

Irvington, n. j. tax preparer arraigned on charges of preparing and filing false tax returns
Alicia Jones, an Irvington, N.J. tax preparer was arraigned today for allegedly preparing false tax returns designed to get her clients larger returns than they were entitled to.
Jones Indictment

Cardiologist admits taking cash kickbacks for patient referrals
Shashi Agarwal, an Edison cardiologist today admitted referring patients for diagnostic testing in exchange for cash kickbacks as part of a cash-for-patients scheme with a diagnostic facility in Orange.
Agarwal Information

Three brooklyn, n.Y., men arrested for armed robberies of new Jersey t-mobile stores
Three Brooklyn, N.Y, men were arrested today by agents of the FBI in connection with two armed robberies of T-Mobile stores in Linden, N.J., and Woodbridge, N.J.
McQueen Et. Al. Complaint

February 13, 2013

President of bogus foreclosure rescue company involved in mortgage fraud pleads guilty
Vito C. Grippo, an Ocean County man today admitted his role in a mortgage loan fraud scheme that succeeded in obtaining $4.4 million in mortgage loans while masquerading as a foreclosure rescue operation based in Holmdel, N.J.
Grippo Indictment

Members of rhino smuggling ring arrested and charged
Three people have been charged this week in Newark, Miami and New York City with wildlife smuggling and related charges for their alleged roles in an international rhino horn smuggling ring, the Department of Justice announced today. The arrests and charges are the result of “Operation Crash,” a nationwide effort led by the U.S. Fish & Wildlife Service (FWS) and the Justice Department to investigate and prosecute those involved in the black market trade of endangered rhinoceros horns.
Li Indictment

New jersey doctor sentenced to five months in prison for taking cash kickbacks for medicare and medicaid patient referrals
Dov Rand, a New Jersey doctor practicing in West Orange was sentenced today to five months in prison and five months of home confinement for his role in a payment-for-patients scheme in which he took envelopes of cash in exchange for making patient referrals.

Union county, n.J., bank employee sentenced to 37 months in prison for conspiracy to commit bank robbery
Jelani Bustamonte, a Union County, N.J., man employed by the Westfield, N.J., branch of TD Bank was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for his role in a plan to rob the bank.

camden man sentenced to 20 years in prison for role in cocaine distribution conspiracy
Jeffrey Jones, one of the leaders of a large-scale conspiracy to distribute more than 150 kilograms of cocaine and crack cocaine in Camden was sentenced today to 240 months in prison.

February 11, 2013

former new jersey resident sentenced to four years in prison for role in real estate scam that defrauded family friends
Taya Romano, an Oklahoma woman who formerly lived in Ridgewood, N.J., was sentenced today to 48 months in prison for a scheme to defraud two New Jersey families relating to the purchase, financing, and improvement of real estate in Oklahoma.

Two defendants admit roles in $65 million stolen identity income tax refund fraud scheme
Bennie Haynes and Manuel Rodriguez, two defendants today admitted their roles in one of the nation’s largest and longest running stolen identity refund fraud schemes ever identified.
Haynes Information
Rodriguez Information

Former newark deputy mayor sentenced to one year in prison for extortion conspiracy
Former Newark, N.J., Deputy Mayor for Public Safety Ronald Salahuddin was sentenced today to one year and one day in prison for conspiring to commit extortion by using his official position to steer demolition work to co-defendant Sonnie L. Cooper, a Newark businessman, and obtain contributions to organizations favored by Newark officials.

February 8, 2013

morris county, n.J., man – former police officer – charged with attempting to collect debts by extortion
Stefano Mazzola, a former Passaic police officer and organized crime associate from Morris County, N.J., appeared in Newark federal court today on charges he attempted to collect a debt by extortion.
Mazzola Complaint

Alleged fugitive for three years makes initial court appearance
Kujtim Lika, a former Passaic County man who had been a fugitive since being charged in 2009 with multiple crimes in connection with an investigation into several loosely connected Balkan criminal enterprises operating throughout New Jersey, New York, Chicago, Philadelphia, Canada, and the Netherlands made his initial court appearance today.

February 7, 2013

Two lawyers admit structuring $354,000 into their attorney trust account
Goldie Sommer and Edward Engelhart, two lawyers with a Fairfield, N.J., law firm today admitted they structured $354,000 in client funds into their attorney accounts to avoid currency reporting requirements.
Sommer Information
Engelhart Information

ohio woman charged with making false accusations and fabricating evidence
Debbie Shank Morgan, an Ohio woman who claims she investigates labor unions on behalf of attorneys was arrested today and charged by Complaint with making false accusations against former officers of an international labor union, falsely claiming she was the victim of a shooting, and fabricating evidence to support her false allegations.
Morgan Complaint

Former new jersey corrections officer sentenced to 30 months in prison for extortion
Jermel Brown, a former senior corrections officer with the N.J. Department of Corrections (NJDOC) was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for using his official position to smuggle contraband to a prisoner in the Garden State Youth Correctional Facility in Yardville, N.J., (Yardville Prison) in exchange for $12,000.

Albanian national admits robbing two TD banks in passaic and bergen counties
Shpend Mazari, an Albanian national who was living in Clifton, N.J., admitted in federal court today to robbing two TD Bank branches while armed with a gun in late 2011.
Mazari Information

Eleven people arrested in large-Scale medicaid fraud scheme
Federal and state agents this morning arrested 11 people who are charged by Complaint, along with two corporations, in connection with a large-scale scheme to defraud the Medicaid program of millions of dollars.
HHCH Health Care Complaint

February 6, 2013

Former international longshoreman’s union official admits stealing union funds
Gregory Taylor, the former secretary-treasurer of a Newark union today admitted embezzling $71,000 from Local 1233 of the International Longshoreman’s Association.
Taylor Indictment

union county, n.J., man indicted for distributing child sexual abuse images over the internet
Carl Tullis Sr., a Union County, N.J., man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for possessing and distributing over the Internet images depicting child sex abuse.
Tullis Indictment

Former mortgage broker and bank officer charged with conspiring to commit bank fraud
James Cockinos, a former mortgage broker and bank officer from Bergen County, N.J., was arrested this morning for allegedly conspiring to commit bank fraud to secure a $1.5 million residential loan.
Cockinos Complaint

February 5, 2013

essex county, n.J., woman admits lying in federal court
Debora Medeiros Da Silva, an Essex County, N.J., woman today admitted to committing perjury while testifying in a federal trial.
Da Silva Information

Hunterdon county, n.J., landscaper admits under-Reporting $1.38M in income
Paul Robinson, a Hunterdon County man who owns and operates P.H. Robinson Design and Landscaping Company Inc. (“P.H. Design”) today admitted under-reporting $1.38 million in money paid to his business by customers.
Robinson Information

Eighteen people charged in international, $200 million Credit card fraud scam
Federal agents in four states arrested 13 people today for allegedly creating thousands of phony identities to steal at least $200 million in one of the largest credit card fraud schemes ever charged by the Department of Justice.
Qureshi et. al. Criminal Complaint

February 4, 2013

New york man admits his role in large-Scale identity theft ring and tax evasion
Young-Woo Ji, a New York man today admitted his role in a large scale and sophisticated identity theft scheme.
Ji Information

Multimillion-Dollar real estate ponzi schemer admits securities fraud and money laundering
David Connolly, a Somerset County, N.J., man pleaded guilty today to one count of securities fraud and one count of money laundering, admitting that he defrauded victims of an investment scheme by misusing their capital contributions and misrepresenting the performance of their investments.
Connolly Superseding Indictment

February 1, 2013

Former jersey city public school teacher admits preparing false tax returns, tax evasion
Elijah Washington, Jr., a Hudson County, N.J., man who worked as a tax preparer admitted today that he filed falsified returns on behalf of his clients, and also failed to report his own income.
Washington Indictment

January 2013

January 31, 2013

Woodland park, n.J. man admits scheme to defraud more than 17 Charities and Non-Profit organizations
Gregory Ciccone, the owner and president of GAC Consulting Group LLC (“GAC”) today admitted his role in a scheme to defraud at least 17 charities and non-profit organizations, costing them more than $750,000 in losses.
Ciccone Superseding Indictment

Business owner admits orchestrating $3 million bank fraud
Richard Rekuc, the owner of a Phillipsburg, N.J., luggage manufacturing company admitted today that he defrauded the Lakeland Bank of Oak Ridge, N.J., of $3 million.
Rekuc Information

health care practitioner sentenced to six months in prison, six months home detention, for accepting cash kickbacks for patient referrals
Daisy Deguzman, a New Jersey doctor who practiced in Newark, today was sentenced to six months in prison and six months of home detention for her role in a cash-for-patients scheme with a diagnostic facility in Orange, N.J.

former nFL player sentenced to seven months in prison for failure to file tax return
William James, a former National Football League player who formerly resided in Passaic County was sentenced today to seven months in prison for failing to file a federal income tax return.

Four charged in $15 million mortgage fraud scheme
Four individuals from New Jersey were taken into custody today for their alleged roles in a $15 million mortgage fraud scheme on an Indictment returned by a federal grand jury on Jan. 30, 2013.
Diantonio, Fredric Et Al. Indictment

new york doctor admits oxycodone distribution and conspiracy
Dr. Hassan Lahham, a physician who wrote illegal prescriptions for oxycodone today admitted his participation in a conspiracy to illegally distribute the medication, and admitted that he distributed it on numerous occasions.
Lahham Indictment

former camden police officer sentenced to 46 months in prison for conspiracy to deprive others of civil rights
Jason Stetser, a former Camden police officer was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for conspiring with fellow officers to deprive others of their civil rights.

January 30, 2013

Bergen county, n.J., man admits his role in large-Scale identity theft ring and tax evasion
Sang-Kyu Seo, a Bergen County man today admitted his role in a large-scale and sophisticated identity theft scheme.
Seo Information

union county, n.J., woman admits serving as the getaway driver during a middlesex, n.J. bank robbery
Teresa Webb, a Union County, N.J., woman today admitted serving as the getaway driver during the July 12, 2012, bank robbery of Unity Bank located at 1230 Bound Brook Road (Route 28) in Middlesex, N.J.
Webb Information

former employee of timeshare consulting firm pleads guilty to fraud conspiracy
Eric Reilly, a former employee of The Vacation Ownership Group LLC admitted today to conspiring to defraud owners of timeshare properties.

ocean county, n.J., woman admits bankruptcy fraud
Marjorie Parise, an Ocean County, N.J., woman today admitted concealing from a bankruptcy trustee profits she had made on a Ponzi scheme investment.
Parise Indictment

atlantic county, n.J., man sentenced to 151 months in prison for bank robbery
Larry Patrick Kearns, an Atlantic County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 151 months in prison for robbing Wells Fargo Bank in Atlantic City, N.J., and Sun National Bank in Ventnor, N.J., on Jan. 12, 2012.

January 29, 2013

Federal jury convicts newark, n.J., man of illegal firearm/Drug possession
Jimmil Henderson, a Newark, N.J., man was convicted by a federal jury today of possession of cocaine and marijuana with intent to distribute, possession of a firearm in furtherance of a drug trafficking offense and unlawful possession of a loaded handgun by a convicted felon.
Henderson Superseding Indictment

Former dockworker sentenced to 30 months in prison for extortion conspiracy involving christmastime tribute payments
Edward Aulisi, a former International Longshoremen’s Association (“ILA”) member was sentenced to 30 months in prison today for conspiring to extort ILA Local 1235 longshoremen on the New Jersey piers for Christmastime tribute payments.

Bergen county, n.J., man pleads guilty to conspiring with brother to violate the federal election campaign act
Benedetto Bigica, a Bergen County man admitted today to conspiring with his brother to violate federal election law in connection with contributions to a federal campaign committee.
Bigica Information

Essex county, n.J., man indicted for using stolen identities to obtain tax refund checks
Hakeem Awe, an Essex County, N.J., man was indicted today by a federal grand jury for using stolen identities to file false tax returns and obtain more than $1 million in tax refund checks.
Awe Indictment

January 25, 2013

former global wealth management firm employee arrested on insider trading charges
Kevin Dowd, an employee of a global wealth management firm (identified only as “Brokerage Firm A”) was arrested at his home this morning on insider trading charges related to Gilead Sciences Inc.’s $11 billion acquisition of New Jersey-based Pharmasset Inc., New Jersey U.S. Attorney Paul J. Fishman announced.
Dowd Complaint

January 24, 2013

Major new jersey hospital pays $12.5 million to resolve kickback allegations
The Cooper Health System has agreed with the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey and the State of New Jersey to pay $12.6 million to settle allegations that it violated the federal False Claims Act and New Jersey False Claims Act by making improper payments to physicians under so-called “consulting” and “compensation” agreements as it sought to build its cardiology program.
Cooper Health Settlement Agreement
Cooper, Signed Order

Ten charged in superseding indictment in time share mortgage fraud scheme
A federal grand jury for the District of New Jersey, sitting in Camden, has returned a 44-count Superseding Indictment against six individuals from southern New Jersey and four others for their alleged roles in a $3 million mail and wire fraud conspiracy involving time share mortgages.
Lacerda, Adam Et Al. Superseding Indictment

Nine charged in $10 million mortgage fraud scheme
Nine people involved in a long-running, large-scale mortgage fraud scheme that caused losses of approximately $10 million were charged in two Complaints with conspiracy to commit bank fraud.
Coutinho, Delio et al. Complaint
Chemidlin, Paul et al. Complaint

January 23, 2013

Essex county, n.J., man charged in union county carjacking
Larry Brown, an Essex County, N.J., man appeared in Newark federal court today in connection with charges arising out of a carjacking that occurred in December 2012 in Union County.
Brown Complaint

Monmouth county, n.J., man sentenced to 78 months in prison for possession of child pornography
Danial Hillman, a Monmouth County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 78 months in prison for possessing child pornography on his computer, including violent video images.

January 22, 2013

Essex county, n.J., man sentenced to 207 months in prison for robbing 10 banks
Maurice Richardson, an Essex County, N.J., man was sentenced to 207 months in prison for federal bank robbery charges and discharge of a firearm in connection with bank robbery.

Essex county, n.J., man arrested for stealing oxycodone from manufacturing facility
Edwin Hernandez, an Essex County, N.J., man who worked at a facility in Elizabeth, N.J., that manufactured oxycodone was arrested this morning for stealing more than 8,500 pills from the facility.
Hernandez Complaint

January 17, 2013

Hudson county, n.J., man indicted for distributing images of child sexual abuse over the internet
Jonathan Martin, a Hudson County, N.J., man was charged today in an Indictment with one count each of possessing and distributing images of child sex abuse over the Internet.
Martin Indictment

Member of multi-State pharmaceutical theft scheme admits possession and sale of stolen goods
Reynaldo Tapanes, a Florida man today admitted his role in conspiring to possess a stolen interstate shipment of prescription respiratory medicine manufactured by a subsidiary of Mylan Inc., that was stolen while on route by tractor-trailer from Texas to a customer in Florida.
Tapanes Information

Former employee of concrete and material company pleads guilty to tax evasion
Nancy Armienti, a former employee of Atlantic County Concrete and Material Co. admitted today evading federal income taxes on nearly $700,000 she received in 2008.
Armienti Information

January 16, 2013

Hudson county, n.J., pediatrician charged with fraudulently billing medicaid for nearly $1 million
Badawy M. Badawy, a Hudson County, N.J., pediatrician was arrested at his home this morning for fraudulently billing Medicaid $900,000 for wound-repair treatments on children that were never rendered.
Badawy Complaint

January 15, 2013

Drug trafficker pleads guilty to conspiracy to launder drug proceeds, distribution of cocaine
Edgar Bracamonte, a California man today admitted his role in a drug trafficking organization from which the government has seized $4.6 million and intercepted 89 kilograms of cocaine.
Bracamonte Information

January 14, 2013

Former citibank employee convicted for stealing and hiding more than $1.3 million from wall street titan william salomon
Karen Febles, a former Citibank employee was convicted today of stealing more than $1.3 million from William Salomon, a 98-year-old former managing partner of Salomon Brothers, which was later acquired by Citibank.

Camden county, n.J., man admits illegal sale of 14 guns
Eric J. Reed, a Camden County, N.J., man today admitted selling guns without a license and illegally possessing firearms.

former jersey city health & human services assistant director and zoning official sentenced to 30 months in prison
Former Jersey City Health & Human Services Assistant Director and zoning official Maher A. Khalil was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for conspiring to commit extortion.

two essex county, n.J., men charged with carjacking
Sharod Culp, one of two Essex County, N.J., men arrested in connection with a gunpoint carjacking in March 2012, is expected to make his initial appearances in court today.
Culp, Sharod Et. Al. Complaint

two newark, n.J., men charged with armed robbery
Charles Madison and Antonio Moore are expected to appear in federal court this afternoon after being charged with armed robbery of the Golden Palace jewelry store in Orange, N.J.
Madison, Charles Et. Al. Complaint

January 11, 2013

bergen county, n.J., man convicted of distributing, receiving and possessing images of child sexual abuse
Martin J. Villalobos, a Bergen County, N.J., man was convicted today of two counts of distribution of child pornography, two counts of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography.

ocean county, n.J., man pleads guilty to distributing infant child pornography
Arthur Frazer, an Ocean County, N.J., man today admitted using a computer in his home to distribute images of child pornography, including images of infants.
Frazer Information

Contractor sentenced to six months’ home confinement for violating clean air act in asbestos removal job
Vele Bozinoski, a Bergen County, N.J., man was sentenced today to three years of probation, including six months of home confinement, for conspiring to violate the federal Clean Air Act by improperly removing asbestos from a building.

January 9, 2013

Queens, n.Y., man sentenced to 210 months in prison for role in new jersey heroin distribution conspiracy
Ronald Burnell Bassett, a St. Albans, N.Y., man was sentenced today to 210 months in prison for his involvement in a scheme to distribute heroin in and through New Jersey.

Camden county, n.J., man admits conspiring to distribute 13 kilograms of cocaine
Jamal Herrin, a Camden County, N.J. man today admitted attempting to purchase 13 kilograms of cocaine for distribution in and through New Jersey.
Herrin Information

Newark man sentenced to 150 months in prison for carjacking and related crimes
Jirrod Parker, a Newark man was sentenced today to 150 months in prison for his role in an April 2011 carjacking of a victim at gunpoint in Elizabeth, N.J.

January 8, 2013

Monmouth county, n.J., heating and air conditioning operator sentenced to five months in prison for tax evasion
Mark Trawinski, a Monmouth County man who owned several air conditioning businesses was sentenced today to five months in prison and five months house arrest for evading payment of taxes and penalties over several years.

Newark man sentenced to 66 months in prison for unlawful possession of a semiautomatic pistol
Clarence Noel, a Newark man with prior felony convictions was sentenced today to 66 months in prison for unlawfully possessing a semiautomatic pistol.

Former pennsville, n.J., police officer pleads guilty to obstructing child pornography investigation
Robert Waterman, a former Pennsville, N.J., police officer today admitted obstructing the FBI’s investigation of his alleged possession of child pornography.
Waterman Indictment

January 7, 2013

Hudson county, n.J., teacher charged with distributing images of child sexual abuse over the internet
Guy West, a permanent substitute teacher at a private school in Jersey City was arrested today after law enforcement officers discovered alleged child pornography on a computer at his residence.
West Complaint

Attorney arrested in connection with $30 million mortgage fraud scheme
Michael Rumore, an attorney formerly licensed in New Jersey was arrested this morning in connection with a long-running, large-scale mortgage fraud scheme which caused losses of more than $30 million.
Rumore Complaint

Owners of charter fishing and river cruising boat companies sentenced to prison, probation, for tax evasion
William H. Bogan Sr., and Sharon Bogan, a father and daughter who own and operate Bogan’s Deep Sea Fishing Center in Brielle, N.J., were sentenced today for failing to report or pay income taxes on a large portion of the money they took in while running their business.

Hunterdon county, n.J., man indicted for social security disability fraud
David M. Disney, a Hunterdon County, N.J., man who previously owned his own private detective firm was indicted by a federal grand jury and charged with conspiring to commit Social Security disability fraud.
Disney Indictment

somerset county, n.J., man pleads guilty to concealing income from undeclared swiss and indian bank accounts
Sanjay Sethi, a Somerset County, N.J., man today admitted using corporations in the Cayman Islands and the British Virgin Islands to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars he held in secret bank accounts in Switzerland and India.
Sethi Information

January 4, 2013

former new jersey law firm employee sentenced to 21 months in prison for stealing more than $500,000 from law firm
Sharon Wetter, the former bookkeeper of a law firm based in Ocean County, N.J., was sentenced to 21 months for defrauding her former employer by stealing more than $500,000 from the firm.

Ocean county, n.J., man sentenced to 22 years in prison for producing and possessing child pornography
Dwayne Tucker, an Ocean County, N.J., man was sentenced today to 22 years in prison for taking pornographic pictures of two minors, ages 6 and 3, in Pennsylvania, and distributing those pictures to other individuals between 2008 and 2010.

medical assistant pleads guilty to conspiracy to bill medicare for unlicensed physician’s services
Mario Roncal, a medical assistant at a pair of large medical services companies with offices in New Jersey and New York admitted today to conspiring with the companies’ chief executive officer to defraud Medicare over a four-year period by performing illegal, unlicensed physicians’ services for patients.
Roncal Indictment

Founder and president of venture development associates inc. sentenced to 15 months in prison for wire fraud
Michael Peniston, the founder and president of Venture Development Associates Inc. (“VDA”), a Farmingdale, N.J., company that presents itself as a provider of corporate financing, was sentenced today to 15 months in prison for defrauding an Illinois man out of nearly $50,000.

January 3, 2013

Two essex county, n.J., men charged in connection with stealing three cars in one day
Two Essex County, N.J., men, Louis Homes and Rosendo Perez, appeared in Newark federal court today in connection with charges arising out of three carjackings that occurred on the same day in March 2012 in Essex and Hudson counties.
Holmes et. al. Complaint

Leader of multi-Million dollar real estate fraud scheme pleads guilty to fraud and money laundering
Eliyahu Weinstein, an Ocean County, N.J., man today admitted that he ran a real estate investment fraud scheme that caused $200 million in losses and then laundered the proceeds of the scheme.
Weinstein Indictment

Former high-Ranking n.J. department of corrections official sentenced to 46 months in prison for extortion
Lydell B. Sherrer, a former deputy commissioner of the N.J. Department of Corrections (“NJDOC”), was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for attempting to obtain $10,000 from an employee in exchange for securing that person’s continued employment with the department or its private contractor.

Brooklyn, n.Y., man sentenced to a year in prison for operating illegal money transmitting business
David Goldhirsh, a Brooklyn, N.Y., man who operated a charitable organization was sentenced today to 12 months and one day in prison for his role in a money laundering conspiracy.

January 2, 2013

morris county, n.J., man admits distributing images of child sexual abuse over the internet
Khalil Survey, a Morris County, N.J., man today admitted possessing and distributing over the Internet images of child sexual abuse.
Survey Indictment

 

 

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