News and Press Releases
2009: Jan | Feb | Mar | April | May | Jun | Jul | Aug | Sep | Oct | Nov | Dec
12-30-09 -- TRENTON -- A Staten Island man pleaded guilty today for his role in the operation of an illegal off-shore gambling enterprise. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.
12-28-09 -- TRENTON -- A Belleville man was sentenced to 61 months in federal prison today for committing a series of six bank robberies in northern New Jersey. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
12-21-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden man pleaded guilty today for his role in a conspiracy which sought to transport kilogram quantities of cocaine from Texas to the Camden area. AUSAs Matthew T. Smith and James P. Lynch, 856-757-5104 and 856-757-5031, respectively.
12-18-09 -- NEWARK -- Ridgefield Mayor Anthony R. Suarez was indicted today for his alledged agreement to accept a corrupt payment made in exchange for his willingness to provide official assistance on real estate development matters in Ridgefield. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Suarez & Tabbachino News Release (.pdf)
Suarez & Tabbachino Indictment (.pdf)
12-18-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Millville man pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of distribution of child pornography, admitting he used LimeWire to upload and download still and video images of child pornography. AUSA Jacqueline M. Carle, 856-968-4867.
12-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted two participants of a multi-million dollar mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving homes in Paterson. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A Kearny woman was arrested at her home this morning on an Indictment accusing her of orchestrating a scheme to defraud dozens of immigrants out of hundreds of thousands of dollars by falsely posing as a federal official with the power to make real her victims' dreams of becoming United States citizens. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-17-09 -- NEWARK -- Jersey City Councilman Mariano Vega, Jr. was indicted today in connection with his agreement to accept $30,000 in corrupt payments made in exchange for Vega's agreement to provide official assistance on real estate development projects in Jersey City. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-15-09 -- CAMDEN -- A former Camden County Prosecutor's Office Investigator pleaded guilty today to one count of wire fraud, admitting she and a co-conspirator made fraudulent statements on an application to secured a residential mortgage. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
12-15-09 -- NEWARK -- An East Orange general contractor pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting he accepted thousands of dollars in corrupt cash payments from a cooperating witness in return for having an East Orange construction code official exercise his future official assistance in favor of the cooperating witness's project. AUSA Richard E. Constable, III, 973-645-2719.
12-14-09 -- TRENTON -- A Browns Mills tax preparer pleaded guilty today in connection with his scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of income tax revenues owed from his clients. AUSA Jennifer Davenport, 609-989-2190.
12-14-09 -- NEWARK -- Charles Amon, a former property manager in Lakewood, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting he agreed to arrange meetings between Jeffrey Williamson, then a Lakewood Township housing inspector, and a cooperating witness, where at such meetings Williamson accepted a total of $1,500 in corrupt cash payments from the cooperating witness in return for Williamson exercising his future official authority in favor of the cooperating witness. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-11-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Arlington, Texas woman was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today for being in possession of 10 kilograms of cocaine while staying with her husband in guest housing at McGuire Air Force Base. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
12-10-09 -- CAMDEN -- Members of a drug trafficking conspiracy responsible for the transportation and distribution of bulk quantities of methamphetamine throughout southern New Jersey, along with wholesale and street level drug dealers who the co-conspirators supplied, were arrested over the course of the last eight days on federal and state charges. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
Vasquez et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Vasquez Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Fregozo-Torres Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Leon Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Lopez Hernandez Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Lopez Silva Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Santiaguin Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Tijerin Gonzalez Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Vasquez Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
12-10-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Winslow doctor made an initial appearance in federal court today on a criminal Complaint for writing prescriptions for oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose in exchange for cash payments. AUSA Matthew J. Skahill, 856-968-4929.
12-10-09 -- NEWARK -- Jersey City council candidate Lori Serrano was indicted today and charged with accepting $10,000 in corrupt cash payments in exchange for her anticipated official assistance on development matters once she became council member. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-10-09 -- TRENTON -- Former New Jersey Assemblyman Daniel M. Van Pelt was indicted today in connection with Van Pelt's acceptance of a corrupt $10,000 cash payment made in exchange for Van Pelt's official assistance on real estate development matters before the State of New Jersey and Ocean Township. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-09-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Berkeley Heights man was arrested in Georgia today on an Indictment accusing him and a co-defendant of creating and marketing fraudulent life insurance policies to unions and one New Jersey municipality. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Dombrowski & Locrotondo News Release (.pdf)
Dombrowski & Locrotondo Indictment (.pdf)
12-08-09 -- NEWARK -- The owner of a now-defunct Bridgewater home renovation business pleaded guilty today to a charge of tax evasion. AUSA Donna Gallucio, 973-645-2786.
12-07-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Newfield man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison today for possessing child pornography on his home computer. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4927.
12-04-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Vineland tax preparer was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for her scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of income tax revenues owed from her clients. AUSA Matthew Smith, 856-757-5104.
12-03-09 -- TRENTON -- The executive director of the Ocean County Democratic Party pleaded guilty in federal court today, admitting that he accepted two corrupt cash payments from a cooperating government witness in exchange for a promise to make introductions to public officials who might assist the cooperating witness with development interests. AUSA Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.
12-02-09 -- NEWARK -- Michael J. Manzo, an unsuccessful candidate for Jersey City Council, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting he accepted a $5,000 corrupt cash payment from a cooperating witness in return for exercising his future official authority in favor of the cooperating witness. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
12-01-09 -- NEWARK -- The former head of the finance department at a company once based in Mountainside pleaded guilty today to charges of conspiracy and tax evasion in connection with a phony expense voucher scheme to defraud her then-employer, Comstock Images, Inc. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Manuel Superseding Information (.pdf)
11-30-09 -- NEWARK -- An Essex County man who sold watches and other merchandise through Internet sites such as eBay was sentenced today to six months in prison for filing a fraudulent tax return. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.
11-30-09 -- Advisory: Victims to be Informed of Trial of Robert Sacks, Shaun Rosiere and Diego Hernandez for Telemarketing Fraud, and to be Informed of Right to Be Heard at Sentencings
11-24-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Carney's Point man was sentenced to 64 months in federal prison today for his role in planning and committing five bank robberies in southern NJ. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
11-24-09 -- NEWARK -- The captain of an ill-fated flight from Teterboro Airport which crashed upon take-off in 2005 has been named in a 27-count Superseding Indictment charging a series of crimes against him and his co-conspirators, all members of now-defunct charter jet company Platinum Jet Management, LLC., Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Kimberling News Release (.pdf)
Kimberling et. al. Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
11-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Sicklerville man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with conspiracy to defraud the IRS, admitting he participated in a scheme to shield income generated from the sale of a business called Municipal Code Inspections, Inc. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
DiSalvatore News Release (.pdf)
DiSalvatore Information (.pdf)
11-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Woodbine man pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of armed robbery, admitting he and his deceased father committed an armed robbery of an Econo Lodge in Egg Harbor Township. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
11-20-09 -- TRENTON -- A federal jury convicted a Union City man today of bribery for paying $5,000 to a West New York constuction official to permit an illegal apartment. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
11-20-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pittsgrove man was sentenced to 97 months in federal prison for operating a $1.8 million investment fraud scheme. AUSA R. Stephen Stigall, 856-757-5232.
11-20-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Rahway man was sentenced to 126 months in federal prison for committing 12 bank robberies throughout New Jersey. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
11-19-09 -- NEWARK -- Four New Jersey men were named in an eight-count Indictment unsealed today charging them with conspiring to extort the owner of a Hawthorne landscaping and paving business. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Sciarra et. al. News Release (.pdf)
11-19-09 -- CAMDEN -- A violent Camden drug gang enforcer was convicted today of all counts against him in connection with a major powder and crack cocaine distribution conspiracy, including charges of murder in the furtherance of the drug conspiracy and attempted murder of a witness regarding that murder. AUSAs Diana V. Carrig and Howard Wiener, 856-968-4927 and 856-968-4926, respectively.
Rivera-Velez News Release (.pdf)
11-19-09 -- TRENTON -- A senior accountant employed by Bel Fuse, Inc. pleaded guilty today to embezzling approximately $1 million in cash and stock from the company. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
11-18-09 -- Advisory: Victims to be Informed of Trial of Robert Sacks, Shaun Rosiere and Diego Hernandez for Telemarketing Fraud, and to be Informed of Right to Be Heard at Sentencings
11-18-09 -- NEWARK -- Four men were arrested in New Jersey today on a criminal Complaint that charges them with conspiring to defraud the United States through the filing of thousands of fraudulent U.S. Individual Income Tax Returns which claimed false tax refunds totaling nearly $11.5 million. AUSA Lee D. Vartan, 973-645-2762.
Sheba et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Sheba et. al. Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
11-18-09 -- CAMDEN -- A rural route carrier with the U.S. Postal Service was arrested on a one-count federal criminal Complaint today for obtaining tax-free federal workers' disability compensation through false statements and concealing the fact that she operated a cleaning business. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
11-17-09 -- NEWARK -- Former Secaucus Mayor Dennis Elwell and political associate Ronald Manzo were indicted today in connection with Elwell's acceptance, through Manzo, of a corrupt $10,000 cash payment made in exchange for Elwell's agreement to provide official assistance on real estate development matters in Secaucus. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Elwell & Manzo News Release (.pdf)
Elwell & Manzo Indictment (.pdf)
11-17-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Trenton woman pleaded guilty today for her role in two bank robberies committed in Atlantic and Mercer Counties. AUSA R. Stephen Stigall, 856-757-5232.
11-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A financial advisor and broker from Monmouth County who advised New Jersey clients for more than two decades pleaded guilty today to devising a scheme to defraud investors out of more than $9 million. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
11-16-09 -- NEWARK -- A New Jersey man who admitted traveling to Thailand to have sex with children as young as six years old and producing and possessing child pornography was sentenced today to 235 months in federal prison. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
11-16-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Bridgeton man pleaded guilty today to producing false Social Security and U.S. Alien Registration cards. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
Valasco-Jimenez News Release (.pdf)
11-12-09 -- TRENTON -- The former general manager and minority owner of an oil and gas company was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison for his scheme to defraud the business of over $1 million. AUSA James T. Kitchen 609-989-2258.
11-10-09 -- NEWARK -- A Superseding Indictment returned today against defense attorney Paul Bergrin adds new allegations to his racketeering indictment, including bribery of a witness in an armed robbery case, drug trafficking and assisting a parolee in running a New York prostitution ring. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Bergrin Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
11-10-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man was convicted by a federal jury today on drug distribution and firearm charges. AUSA Robert A. Kirsch, 973-645-2846.
11-10-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Edgewater Park man was sentenced to 462 months in federal prison today for committing two violent armed bank robberies of the same PNC bank branch in Glendora, during which he forced bank employees at gunpoint into the bank's vault. AUSAs Jacqueline M. Carle and Jennifer Davenport, 856-968-4867 and 609-989-2354, respectively.
11-05-09 -- CAMDEN -- The owner of a Citgo Food Mart in Westville and two store employees pleaded guilty today to defrauding the federal food stamp program of more than $280,000. AUSAs Kevin Smith and Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-968-4928 and 856-757-5152, respectively.
11-04-09 -- NEWARK -- A Clark man was sentenced today to 76 months in federal prison for his scheme to defraud customers of two banks where he had been employed of more than $2.5 million. AUSA Grace H. Park, 973-645-2718.
11-04-09 -- TRENTON -- A Millstone man was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for counterfeiting postage meter stamps, which he used to ship counterfeit Hervé Chapelier handbags and purses he sold through the Internet site eBay. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
10-30-09 -- NEWARK -- The former Project Coordinator and engineer for the West New York Department of Public Works was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for taking corrupt cash payments from contractors. AUSA Dustin M. Chao, 973-645-2903.
10-29-09 -- TRENTON -- A Bridgewater couple who own and operate an engineering and survey firm were indicted today for their conspiracy to defraud the United States by not fully paying employment taxes, which were withheld from employees. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
DeMuro et. al. News Release (.pdf)
10-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man was sentenced to 36 months in federal prison today for illegally possessing and selling a machine gun. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
10-26-09 -- NEWARK -- Attorney General Eric Holder today announced the appointment of U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey Paul J. Fishman, along with eight other new U.S. Attorneys to serve two-year terms on the Attorney General's Advisory Committee of U.S. Attorneys (AGAC).
10-23-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted an East Orange man for the 2006 carjacking of a couple in East Orange, in which the defendant pistol-whipped a male victim and sexually assaulted a female victim before critically wounding her with a gunshot to the head. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
10-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Hopewell, Cumberland County, man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with bank robbery, admitting his role in planning and committing of three bank robberies in southern N.J. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
10-23-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Jersey City building inspector was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for extorting corrupt payments from contractors. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
Harrington News Release (.pdf)
10-23-09 -- NEWARK -- A Pennsylvania man charged by complaint in June 2009 with infecting computers with malicious software and using those computers to launch cyber attacks was indicted yesterday by a federal grand jury. AUSA Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2874.
10-22-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted former Bergen County Democratic Organization chairman Joseph Ferriero of conspiracy and mail fraud in connection with a scheme to defraud Bergenfield of the honest services of its then-borough attorney Dennis Oury. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
10-22-09 -- TRENTON -- A Clementon man was sentenced to 300 months in federal prison today in connection with the 2005 shooting death of a 14-year-old boy in Lindenwold. AUSA Jason Richardson and James P. Lynch, 856-968-4869 and 856-757-5031, respectively.
10-20-09 -- CAMDEN -- An alleged Atlantic City pimp was arraigned today on a federal Superseding Indictment that charges him with running a child exploitation enterprise which recruited and prostituted minor girls as part of his interstate prostitution network. AUSAs Jason M. Richardson and Matthew T. Smith, 856-968-4869 and 856-757-5104, respectively.
Gordon Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
10-20-09 -- NEWARK -- The former owner of two medical billing companies was sentenced to 37 months in federal prison today for engaging in a scheme to defraud insurance companies that provided no-fault medical benefits to motorists. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
10-20-09 -- NEWARK -- Monmouth County real estate developer Solomon Dwek pleaded guilty today to bank fraud and money laundering charges in connection with his scheme to defraud PNC Bank of more than $50 million. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
10-15-09 -- NEWARK -- A Venezuelan citizen arrested in Mexico last February on hacking and wire fraud charges has been extradited and is expected to appear in court tomorrow in New Jersey. AUSA Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2874.
10-14-09 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted an East Orange woman of all 22 counts against her in connection with the forced labor of more than 20 young West African females working in hair braiding salons in Newark and East Orange. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
10-14-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Willingboro man was sentenced to 68 months in federal prison today for his role in an armed robbery of a Willingboro bank. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
10-14-09 -- NEWARK -- Paul J. Fishman was sworn in today as the 54th United States Attorney for the District of New Jersey and began his duties immediately. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
10-08-09 -- TRENTON -- A Miami Beach, Fla., man and his driver were charged today in a Superseding Indictment for their roles in a telemarketing fraud and identity theft scheme that attempted to defraud financial institutions and their account holders throughout the United States of millions of dollars through the unauthorized and fraudulent debit of customer bank accounts. AUSAs John J. Hoffman and Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0579 and 609-989-0565, respectively.
Sacks & Hernandez News Release (.pdf)
Sacks & Hernandez Superceding Indictment (.pdf)
10-08-09 -- NEWARK -- LaVern Webb-Washington, an unsuccessful candidate for Jersey City Council (Ward F), pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting she accepted corrupt cash payments from a cooperating witness in return for exercising her future official authority in favor of the cooperating witness. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Webb-Washington News Release (.pdf)
Webb-Washington Information (.pdf)
10-07-09 -- NEWARK -- A Teaneck man was arrested today on an Indictment charging him with military contract procurement fraud involving his company and the sale of replacement parts, primarily automotive and ground support tractor-trailer parts for military vehicles. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Dedekarginoglu News Release (.pdf)
Dedekarginoglu Indictment (.pdf)
10-07-09 -- NEWARK -- Jersey City mayoral candidate Louis Manzo and his brother Ronald were indicted today and charged with accepting $27,500 in corrupt cash payments in exchange for Louis Manzo's anticipated official assistance on development matters once he became mayor. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Manzo et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Manzo et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
10-06-09 -- TRENTON -- A serial "INS" agent impersonator pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of mail fraud for defrauding more than 20 immigrants of more than $150,000 over a period of three years. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.
10-06-09 -- NEWARK -- Jersey City Councilman Philip J. Kenny pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting that he agreed to accept, and later accepted, a $5,000 bribe from a government cooperating witness in return for exercising his future official assistance in obtaining real estate development approvals for the cooperating witness. AUSA Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-297-2067.
10-05-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Mount Holly man pleaded guilty today to three counts of aiding and abetting bank robberies, admitting he assisted others in the commission bank robberies by phoning in hoax 911 calls in an attempt to lead police away from the targeted bank. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
10-05-09 -- NEWARK -- A Wanaque man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with possessing child pornography on his home computer. AUSA Lakshmi Srinivasan Herman.
10-02-09 -- TRENTON -- The owner of an Elizabeth construction business was sentenced today to 39 months in federal prison for paying bribes to a former Linden housing official in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
10-01-09 -- NEWARK -- A Linden man who is also facing murder charges in Hudson County was sentenced to 176 months in federal prison for his role in an ecstasy distribution. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
09-30-09 -- TRENTON -- An attorney and former company CEO pleaded guilty today to bank fraud, admitting that he engaged in a scheme to defraud Commerce Bank, Provident Bank and other financial institutions. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
09-30-09 -- NEWARK -- The University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey has agreed to pay the government approximately $8.3 million to settle allegations that it illegally paid kickbacks to cardiologists and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
UMDNJ Corporate Integrity Agreement (.pdf)
UMDNJ Settlement Agreement (.pdf)
09-30-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pennsauken man was sentenced to 180 months in federal prison today for committing a string of seven bank robberies in southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
09-29-09 -- NEWARK -- A former insurance company employee pleaded guilty today to a charge of attempted tax evasion, admitting her personal income tax returns failed to report income from kickback payments totaling more than $100,000. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.
09-29-09 -- NEWARK -- A Holmdel contractor pleaded guilty to federal charges today for schemes involving the structuring of over $3.1 million in cash transactions, embezzlement of a union employee benefit plan, tax evasion and making unlawful labor payments. AUSAs Ronald D. Wigler and Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2822 and 973-645-2752.
09-25-09 -- NEWARK -- Former Passaic Councilman Gerardo Fernandez was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for his conviction on a charge of perjury before a federal grand jury. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
09-25-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Moorestown man was sentenced to 264 months in federal prison today for committing carjacking in Burlington and Camden counties and an armed bank robbery in Moorestown. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
09-25-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Tobyhanna, Pa., man pleaded guilty today to an 11-count Information that charges him with bank robbery and firearm offenses, admitting that over an eight-year period he committed or attempted to commit armed robberies of 14 banks in New Jersey and Pennsylvania of over $900,000. AUSA Anthony J. Mahajan, 973-645-2726.
09-25-09 -- NEWARK -- A Saddle River, N.J., man pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of failing to file a Report of Foreign Bank or Financial Accounts, admitting he concealed approximately $6.1 million in Swiss bank accounts. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
09-24-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden man was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today for illegally trafficking in firearms including several SKS assault rifles, which is a version of the Russian AK-47 assault rifle. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.
09-24-09 -- TRENTON -- A member of the Bloods street gang in Trenton was indicted today on federal gun charges. AUSA Jimmy Kitchen, 609-989-0566.
09-24-09 -- NEWARK -- The brother of Frank Rose, a former field representative for the City of Linden's Neighborhood Redevelopment Program, was sentenced to six months of home confinement, as part of a three-year term of probation, today for paying bribes to Rose in exchange for approximately $1.3 million in construction services. AUSA Richard E. Constable III, 973-645-2719.
Rose et. al. News Release (.pdf)
09-24-09 -- TRENTON -- A citizen of the People's Republic of China was charged in four-count federal Indictmen today in connection with his scheme to steal trade secrets and proprietary information relating to computer systems and software with environmental applications for his New Jersey employer. AUSA Eric M. Schweiker, 609-989-0579.
09-24-09 -- NEWARK -- James P. King, who was an unsuccessful candidate for Jersey City Council (Ward C), and the former executive director of the Jersey City Parking Authority, former chairman of the Jersey City Incinerator Authority and a former Hudson County undersheriff, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting he accepted corrupt cash payments from a cooperating witness in return for exercising his future official assistance in favor of the cooperating witness. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
09-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pleasantville man pleaded guilty to federal drug and gun charges today for distributing approximately 218.5 grams of crack cocaine and being a previously convicted felon in possession of handgun. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.
09-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Phoenixville, Pa., man was sentenced to 97 months in prison today for his leadership role in operating two Ponzi schemes upon members of a Toms River church, which resulted in total losses of more than $1 million. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
09-22-09 -- NEWARK -- The former field representative for the City of Linden's Neighborhood Redevelopment Program was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for accepting more than $180,000 in corrupt cash payments and other benefits in exchange for giving favorable treatment to certain contractors. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
09-22-09 -- NEWARK -- A Queens, N.Y., man was sentenced to 141 months in federal prison today for supplying Social Security numbers to members of an identity fraud ring. AUSAs Erez Liebermann and Seth Kosto, 973-645-2874 and 973-645-2737.
09-18-09 -- NEWARK -- Former Hudson County affirmative action officer and Jersey City Board of Education vice president Edward Cheatam pleaded guilty today to conspiring with the city's deputy mayor and others to accept corrupt cash payments, illicit political contributions and other benefits in return for their official influence. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
09-17-09 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has entered into settlements totaling approximately $960,000 with three cardiologists to settle allegations they accepted kickbacks in the form of salaries from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey (UMDNJ), and caused the submission of false claims to Medicare. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Walia Civil Settlement Agreement (.pdf)
Sahni Civil Settlement Agreement (.pdf)
Patel Civil Settlement Agreement (.pdf)
09-17-09 -- CAMDEN -- An East Greenwich man was arrested today on a one-count criminal Complaint that charges him with possession of child pornography. AUSA R. Stephen Stigall, 856-757-5232.
09-17-09 -- TRENTON -- A Mount Olive certified public accountant pleaded guilty yesterday to a charge of filing a false personal income tax return, admitting his personal income tax returns for tax years 2002, 2003 and 2004 failed to report income totaling approximately $365,500. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
Williamson News Release (.pdf)
09-17-09 -- NEWARK -- The mastermind of an identity theft ring who fled after being sentenced for his role in the scheme to steal personal and confidential credit report profiles of thousands of customers of Weichert Financial Services, Inc. pleaded guilty today to failure to surrender to federal prison. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
09-16-09 -- NEWARK -- Furniture retailer Anthony Mehran, the owner, president and CEO of Huffman Koos, pleaded guilty today to filing a false tax return, admitting he engaged in a $3.8 million cash-skimming scheme over a five-year period to avoid paying income taxes. AUSA Scott B. McBride, 973-645-2708.
09-16-09 -- NEWARK -- A retired New York City Police sergeant was arrested today and charged in connection with a conspiracy to purchase and distribute three kilograms of cocaine in Elizabeth last month. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Flores et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Flores & Baez Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
James & Nunez-Vargas Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
09-16-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Owego, N.Y., businessman was sentenced to six months of confinement and three years probation today for conspiring to structure a series of financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements used to detect financial crimes. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 973-645-6546.
Springsteen News Release (.pdf)
09-16-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Irvington man pleaded guilty today to making false statements under oath on his naturalization application by failing to state he was arrested and convicted of sexually assaulting a victim under the age of 13. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
09-15-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Willingboro man was sentenced to 32 months in federal prison today for having a straw buyer purchase handguns in Georgia, which he then transported to New Jersey. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
09-14-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man once suspected of involvement in the murder of four people in a vacant lot behind a church in 2004 was sentenced today to the maximum 10 years in federal prison for being a felon in possession of firearms.
09-14-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Jersey City building inspector was sentenced to 13 months in federal prison today for attempting to extort corrupt cash payments from contractors in Jersey City. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
09-14-09 -- NEWARK -- U.S. Treasury checks totaling nearly $270,000 were presented today to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Manalapan Police Department for their role in a joint federal task force. Contacts: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888 and Robert Glantz, IRS-CID, Special Agent/PIO, 732-761-3381.
09-11-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal immigration agent from New York was arrested early this morning with two co-conspirators after they arrived at a Newark garage to pick up a large quantity of what they thought was geniune cocaine that they intended to steal from a purported drug dealer. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Johnson et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Johnson et. al. Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
09-11-09 -- PHILADELPHIA -- A former employee with the United States Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of Pennsylvania ("EDPA") pleaded guilty today to federal charges, admitting she used a government-issued computer and defendants' personal information to perpetrate a fraud totaling approximately $34,435. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.
09-09-09 -- NEWARK -- Former Jersey City Health and Human Services Assistant Director Maher Z. Khalil pleaded guilty today to conspiring to commit extortion, admitting that he accepted more than $72,000 in bribes from a government cooperating witness in return for attempting to obtain real estate development approvals for the cooperating witness, and for facilitating bribe payments to other municipal officials. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Khalil & Catrillo News Release (.pdf)
09-03-09 -- TRENTON -- A Liberian-incorporated shipping company pleaded guilty today to failing to keep accurate oily water discharge records and using falsified records to conceal the discharge at sea of untreated bilge from one of its cargo ships. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Dalnave Navigation Inc. News Release (.pdf)
Dalnave Navigation Inc. Joint Factual Statement (.pdf)
09-02-09 -- TRENTON -- A former assistant bank branch manager employed with JP Morgan Chase Bank, N.A. was sentenced today to 21 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $357,000 from her employer. AUSA Eric M. Schweiker, 609-989-0566.
Andrej-Byrne News Release (.pdf)
09-01-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal judge today sentenced former state Senator Joseph Coniglio to 30 months in federal prison for his extortion and mail fraud convictions for an influence-peddling scheme connected to a $66,000-a-year consulting arrangement with Hackensack University Medical Center. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
08-27-09 -- TRENTON -- A Belleville man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal charge of bank robbery, admitting he committed six bank robberies in northern New Jersey. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
08-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Vineland tax preparer pleaded guilty today in connection with her scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of income tax revenues owed from her clients. AUSA Matthew Smith, 856-757-5104.
08-26-09 -- NEWARK -- A Togolese man pleaded guilty today in connection with the forced labor of dozens of young West African females working in hair braiding salons in Newark and East Orange. AUSA Shana W. Chen, 973-353-6095.
08-26-09 -- TRENTON -- A Brick man was sentenced to 70 months in federal prison today for committing a series of six bank robberies on consecutive Thursdays in Ocean, Middlesex and Monmouth Counties. AUSA Harvey Bartle, IV, 609-656-2504.
08-25-09 -- TRENTON -- A Jersey City man pleaded guilty today to communicating bankruptcy fraud. AUSA Donna Gallucio, 973-645-2786.
08-20-09 -- NEWARK -- Jersey City Deputy Mayor Leona Beldini and Edward Cheatam, an official in both Hudson County and Jersey City, were charged today in a one-count Indictment with conspiring to extort corrupt cash payments, illicit political contributions and other benefits under color of official right, in return for Beldini's and an elected Jersey City official's influence in Jersey City government matters. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
Beldini and Cheatam's News Release (.pdf)
Beldini and Cheatam's Indictment (.pdf)
08-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A Cliffside Park man pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal gun charge, admitting that he illegally possessed five firearms, two silencers and hollow-point bullets in his home. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
08-19-09 -- TRENTON -- A Maryland man pleaded guilty today to a three-count federal Indictment that charges him with attempting to extort $3 million from the Showboat Atlantic City Casino/Hotel, admitting that he boarded a shuttle bus and took several showboat patrons hostage. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 973-645-6546.
08-18-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden man was sentenced to 151 months in prison today for his role as a member of a major cocaine distribution organization in Camden. AUSAs Howard Weiner and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
08-17-09 -- NEWARK -- An Indictment was returned today against three individuals who are charged with being responsible for five corporate data breaches, including the single largest reported data breach in U.S. history, announced Acting U.S. Attorney Ralph J. Marra, Jr., along with Assistant Attorney General of the Criminal Division Lanny A. Breuer and United States Secret Service Director Mark Sullivan. AUSAs Seth Kosto and Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2737 and 973-645-2874, respectively.
08-14-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Carney's Point man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with bank robbery, admitting his role in planning and committing five bank robberies in southern N.J. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
08-13-09 -- NEWARK -- The developer of a Morris County condominium community was sentenced today to a year in prison for evading corporate income taxes. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
08-12-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Jersey City man was sentenced to 144 months in prison today for robbing or attempting to rob nine banks in New Jersey and Connecticut over a five-month period in 2008 and getting away with more than $39,000. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
08-12-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Newfield man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with possessing child pornography on his home computer. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4927.
08-11-09 -- CAMDEN -- The brother of former Camden drug dealer Raymond Morales was sentenced to 168 months in federal prison today for his role in Morales' Continuing Criminal Enterprise that distributed thousands of kilograms of cocaine in Camden. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
08-10-09 -- TRENTON -- A former project manager for a national cellular telecommunications provider pleaded guilty today to an Information that charges him with receiving more than $1 million in kickback payments from contractors and with evading taxes on portions of that income. AUSAs Seth B. Kosto and Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2737 and 973-645-2874, respectively.
08-10-09 -- TRENTON -- The former operator of a Bordentown car dealership was arrested today on a federal Indictment in connection with his check-kiting scheme that resulted in losses of more than $7 million to banks. AUSAs Eric M. Schweiker and Jennifer Davenport, 609-989-0566 and 609-989-2354, respectively.
08-06-09 -- NEWARK -- The supervisor of permits and connection fees for the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority pleaded guilty today to extorting corrupt cash payments from contractors. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
08-05-09 -- TRENTON -- A Brick man who produced child pornography was sentenced to 326 months in prison today. AUSA Jimmy Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
08-04-09 -- TRENTON -- The owner of a Barnegat construction company pleaded guilty today to a charge of tax evasion for failing to report income of approximately $242,764. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
08-04-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Palmyra man was sentenced to 60 months in federal prison today for illegally selling firearms and crack cocaine at area shopping malls parking lots. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
08-04-09 -- NEWARK -- A salesman for a labor union trade newspaper was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for tax evasion, Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
07-31-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pennsauken doctor was sentenced to 63 months in federal prison today for illegally selling prescriptions for oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
07-30-09 -- CAMDEN -- A former financial account manager pleaded guilty today to charges of mail fraud and money laundering; admitting he defrauded his clients of at least $1.2 million. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.
D'Hedouville News Release (.pdf)
07-30-09 -- NEWARK -- The former operator of a Clifton-based real estate investment program pleaded guilty today to operating a Ponzi-scheme in which she raised in excess of $15 million from hundreds of investors in New Jersey and throughout the United States. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
07-28-09 -- NEWARK -- A Hackettstown man was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison, while a Paterson man pleaded guilty, both for their roles in a scheme to steal funds from the 401(k) retirement accounts of seven victims. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.
07-28-09 -- CAMDEN -- A middleman between two major Camden drug gangs was sentenced to 164 months in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy to distribute more than 50 kilograms of cocaine. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.
07-27-09 -- NEWARK -- Former New Jersey State Senator Wayne R. Bryant was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison today for unlawfully using his power and influence to obtain a paid, low-show job at UMDNJ's School of Osteopathic Medicine in exchange for lobbying and bringing millions of dollars in extra funding to the school, and using that job and others to fraudulently nearly triple his state pension. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
07-23-09 -- NEWARK -- The mayors of Hoboken Secaucus and Ridgefield, the Jersey City deputy mayor and council president, two state assemblymen, numerous other public officials and political figures and five rabbis from New York and New Jersey were among 44 individuals charged today in a two-track federal investigation of public corruption and a high-volume, international money laundering conspiracy. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Bid Rig III News Release & Addendum(.pdf)
Public Corruption Complaints (.pdf)
Altman Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Amon Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Shaw, Cheatam & Beldini Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Cammarano III & Schaffer Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Cardwell Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Catrillo Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Elwell & Manzo Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Friedlander Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Guarini Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Haber Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Manzo, Jaslow & Castagna Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Khalil Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
King Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Manzo & Manzo Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Serrano Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Smith & Greene Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Suarez & Tabbachino Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Van Pelt Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Vega Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Washington Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Williamson Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Money Laundering Complaints (.pdf)
Ben Haim Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Cohen Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Deutsch & Spira Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Ehrental Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Fish, Schwartz, Gertner Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Fish, Schwartz, Goldhirsh Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Fish, Schwartz, Pollack, Weber Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Kassin Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Nahum Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Weiss Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Rosenbaum Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
07-22-09 -- NEWARK -- A former deputy director with the Englewood Housing Authority and a former authority accountant both pleaded guilty today for their roles in a scheme that embezzled more than $100,000 from the authority. AUSA Richard E. Constable, III, 973-645-2719.
07-22-09 -- TRENTON -- A Millstone man pleaded guilty today to a charge of counterfeiting postage meter stamps in connection with his sale of counterfeit Herve Chapelier handbags and purses through the Internet site eBay. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
07-21-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury returned a Superseding Indictment today against Assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas, adding a new charge that he participated in a scheme with his former key political advisor to circumvent the contribution limitation and reporting requirements of the Federal Election Campaign Act ("FECA"). AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Jenny R. Kramer, 973-645-2853 and 973-645-2793, respectively.
Vas et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Vas et. al. Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
07-21-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former owner/operator of a Williamstown tax preparation business was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison today for his conviction of federal charges for defrauding the IRS through the preparation of false individual income tax returns for his clients and filing false corporate tax returns for companies he controlled. AUSAs Matthew T. Smith and Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5104 and 973-645-6546, respectively.
07-21-09 -- TRENTON -- The former general manager and minority owner of a Somerset County based oil and gas company pleaded guilty today to one count of mail fraud in connection with his scheme to defraud the business of over $1 million. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
07-20-09 -- NEWARK -- An Essex County man who sells watches and other merchandise through Internet sites, such as eBay, pleaded guilty today to filing a fraudulent tax return. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.
07-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A Canadian citizen arrested in London last December on sex tourism charges for arranging sexual encounters with young boys in Thailand was extradited and arrived in New Jersey this afternoon. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
07-20-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former owner/operator of a Hammonton insurance business was sentenced to 40 months in federal prison today for his participation in a conspiracy to sell false and fraudulent insurance policies and for obstructing the investigation by the Federal Bureau of Investigation. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
07-20-09 -- TRENTON -- The owner of a defunct Stafford Township payroll services company was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for embezzling $1.8 million in FICA taxes that client companies owed to the IRS. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
07-15-09 -- TRENTON -- A former baggage screener for the Transportation Security Administration at Newark Liberty International Airport was sentenced today to 37 months in prison for stealing cameras, electronics and other items from checked baggage. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
07-15-09 -- TRENTON -- A former New Jersey woman today pleaded guilty to Social Security and bankruptcy fraud. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
07-15-09 -- TRENTON -- A Deputy United States Marshal was convicted today in federal court of one count of providing a firearm and ammunition to someone convicted of, and under indictment for, a felony, and one count of perjury for lying about the matter before a federal grand jury. AUSA Thomas R. Calcagni, 973-645-2918.
07-14-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former president of an Essex County leasing company pleaded guilty today to a federal Information that charged him with embezzling approximately $6.2 million from his employer. AUSA Seth Kosto, 973-645-2737.
07-13-09 -- TRENTON -- A Clementon man pleaded guilty today to federal charges in connection with the shooting death of a 14-year-old boy in Lindenwold. Contact: Greg Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.
07-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Rahway man pleaded guilty today to federal bank robbery charges, admitting he committed 12 bank robberies throughout New Jersey. AUSA Lisa M. Colone, 973-645-2747.
07-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Westville man pleaded guilty today to committing four bank robberies in Camden and Gloucester Counties. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
07-07-09 -- NEWARK -- The director of charters of a now-defunct luxury charter jet company who booked and dispatched a flight from Teterboro Airport which crashed on takeoff in 2005 pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy to defraud charter customers and brokers and to impede and obstruct the Federal Aviation Administration. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
07-01-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Chinese national was sentenced to 22 months in prison today for conspiring to export military-grade night-vision technology from the United States to the People's Republic of China. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
06-30-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man pleaded guilty today for illegally possessing and selling a machine gun. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
06-30-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former president and CEO of All Freight Logistics, Inc., was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today on mail fraud and money laundering charges in connection with his Ponzi scheme to defraud investors of approximately $5.8 million. AUSAs Diana V. Carrig and Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-968-4927 and 856-757-5231, respectively.
06-29-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Port Authority police recruit who also managed professional boxers in New Jersey pleaded guilty today to conspiring with a detective-sergeant in the Passaic County Sheriff's Department to distribute significant quantities of cocaine that had been stolen from the Sheriff's Department evidence vault. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- The leader of a Camden drug trafficking organization was sentenced to life in federal prison today for his conviction on a federal drug conspiracy charge. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4869 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
06-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pennsylvania man was sentenced to 137 months in federal prison today for committing two bank robberies in New Jersey and one bank robbery in Pennsylvania. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
Czerwinski News Release (.pdf)
06-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Willingboro man pleaded guilty today to crack cocaine distribution and gun charges. AUSAs Jason M. Richardson and Kevin Smith, 856-968-4869, 4928, respectively.
06-26-09 -- NEWARK -- A ranking member of the Nine-Three set of the Bloods was sentenced today to 27 years in federal prison for a 2006 armed home-invasion robbery in Newark. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-25-09 -- NEWARK -- A federal judge yesterday sentenced two Hopewell Township men to 15 months in prison for tax evasion and conspiring to violate the federal anti-kickback statute by agreeing to pay doctors to refer blood work to a lab they operated. AUSA Charles B. McKenna, 973-645-2716.
Niaz et. al. News Release (.pdf)
06-24-09 -- TRENTON -- The former managing pharmacist at a Middlesex County pharmacy pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud health insurers, including the federal Medicaid program, by submitting phony claims for reimbursement for prescription drugs.
06-24-09 -- NEWARK -- The former owner of two medical billing companies pleaded guilty today to engaging in a scheme to defraud insurance companies that provided no-fault medical benefits to motorists. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
06-24-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Egg Harbor Township man was arrested today on a federal Indictment for running a heroin smuggling and distribution organization that imported heroin from Columbia and distributed the drugs in New York City and Atlantic County. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
06-23-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newton man who moderated a website devoted to child pornography and sex with children was sentenced to 90 years in federal prison for his convictions on six counts of advertising child pornography, one count of receipt of child pornography and one count of possession of child pornography. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-23-09 -- NEWARK -- A former employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was sentenced today to 18 months in federal prison for conspiracy to commit money laundering. AUSA Mark J. McCarren, 973-645-2867.
06-22-09 -- NEWARK -- One of the co-founders and managers of a luxury charter jet company that operated a flight from Teterboro Airport which crashed on takeoff in 2005 pleaded guilty today to a conspiracy to defraud charter customers and brokers, and to impede and obstruct the FAA, admitting he and his conspirators booked and flew roughly 100 illegal flights for more than $1 million. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-18-09 -- NEWARK -- The former business manager of a Somerville carpenters union local appeared in federal court today on an indictment charging him with embezzlement from the union. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-18-09 -- NEWARK -- The former head of information technology at a Mountainside-based company pleaded guilty yesterday to charges that he conspired with a former chief financial officer and others to bilk the company of approximately $900,000 in a phony expense voucher scheme. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
06-17-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Lumberton teacher was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison today for possessing child pornography. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
06-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A Clark man pleaded guilty today in connection with his scheme to defraud customers of two banks at which he was employed, admitting he stole more than $2.5 million in customer funds. AUSA Grace H. Park, 973-645-2718.
06-16-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former director of the Cherry Hill Department of Code Enforcement and Inspections pleaded guilty and admitted today that he accepted approximately $4,500 in corrupt payments from representatives of a private inspection services company in exchange for his assistance in obtaining municipal contracts. AUSA Joshue Drew, 856-968-4925.
Saccomanno News Release (.pdf)
06-16-09 -- NEWARK -- Two Staten Island men were named in an Indictment unsealed today, charging them with loansharking. The Indictment also charges one of the defendants with the arson of a former employee's Mercedes-Benz in Ocean County in 2004. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
LaForte & Alfieri News Release (.pdf)
LaForte & Alfieri Indictment (.pdf)
06-15-09 -- NEWARK -- Former Passaic City Council member Marcellus Jackson and former Paterson Board of Education member Chauncey I. Brown, III, were sentenced today to federal prison terms of 25 and 20 months, respectively, for accepting bribes in exchange for their official assistance in attempting to steer public insurance brokerage contracts to an FBI undercover business. AUSAs Christopher J. Gramiccioni and David A. Bocian, 973-297-2067 and 609-989-2399, respectively.
Jackson et. al. News Release (.pdf)
06-12-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pittsgrove man pleaded guilty today to federal charges of mail fraud and filing a false tax return in connection with a $1.9 million investment fraud scheme. AUSA R. Stephen Stigall, 856-757-5232.
06-12-09 -- NEWARK -- An Indictment was unsealed today against three individuals who allegedly hacked into the telephone systems of large corporations and entities in the United States and abroad and sold information about the compromised telephone systems to Pakistani nationals residing in Italy. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Nusier et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Nusier et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
06-11-09 -- NEWARK -- A Montclair man pleaded guilty today to mail and wire fraud and money laundering charges in connection with a $139 million fraud scheme that bankrupted Pine Brook-based U.S. Mortgage Corp. and its subsidiary, CU National Mortgage, LLC. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
06-11-09 -- NEWARK -- A longtime political adviser to Assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas pleaded guilty today to participating in a “straw-donor” scheme to funnel contributions to Joseph Vas’s 2006 primary campaign for the Democratic nomination for Congress in New Jersey’s 13th District. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
06-10-09 -- NEWARK -- The former president of a health professionals labor union pleaded guilty today for her scheme to illegally borrow more than $14,000 from the union. AUSA Jonathan W. Romankow, 973-645-2884.
06-10-09 -- NEWARK --- A former Jersey City building inspector pleaded guilty today to extorting corrupt payments from contractors. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
Harrington News Release (.pdf)
06-10-09 -- CAMDEN -- A former New York Police Department dispatcher was sentenced to 60 months in prison today for traveling to the Deptford Mall in Gloucester County to engage in illicit sexual conduct with an individual whom he believed was a 14-year-old female and for sending the supposed 14-year-old female images of child pornography. AUSA Jacqueline M. Carle, 856-968-4867.
06-09-09 -- CAMDEN -- An Oaklyn man pleaded guilty today to a federal charge of bank fraud, admitting he used stolen personal identifying information of others to open credit accounts. AUSA R. Stephen Stigall, 856-757-5232.
06-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- Three employees of two separate small neighborhood grocery stores located in Camden were arrested today on criminal Complaints charging them with defrauding the Supplemental Nutrition and Assistance Program. AUSAs Deborah Mikkelsen Prisinzano and Kevin Smith, 856-757-5152 and 856-968-4928, respectively.
Rosario et. al. News Release (.pdf)
06-08-09 -- CAMDEN --A Moorestown man pleaded guilty today to federal charges, admitting he committed carjackings in Burlington and Camden counties and an armed bank robbery in Moorestown. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
06-04-09 -- CAMDEN -- A bulk cocaine supplier to a former Camden drug-trafficking organization known as the "M.O.B. Boys" was sentenced to 78 months in federal prison today for his role in a drug conspiracy that was responsible for the distribution of multiple kilogram quantities of powder cocaine and large quantities of crack cocaine through the group's own street-level drug sets and other Camden area drug dealers. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.
06-03-09 -- TRENTON -- A Brick man pleaded guilty today to committing a series of six bank robberies on consecutive Thursdays in Ocean, Middlesex and Monmouth counties. AUSA Harvey Bartle, IV, 609-656-2504.
05-29-09 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education president Jayson G. Adams was setnenced to 30 months in federal prison today for accepting bribes in return for his official assistance and for arranging bribes for other elected officials. AUSAs Christopher J. Gramiccioni and David A. Bocian 973-297-2067 and 609-989-2399, respectively.
05-28-09 -- TRENTON -- A third member of a bank robbery gang whose spree included an attempted robbery during which an FBI Special Agent was tragically killed was sentenced today to 481 months in federal prison. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-27-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Riverside man pleaded guilty today for his role in an armed robbery of a Willingboro bank. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
05-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A long time soldier in the Gambino Crime Family pleaded guilty today to a federal racketeering charge. AUSA Ronald D. Wigler, 973-645-2822.
Muccigrosso News Release (.pdf)
05-22-09 -- CAMDEN -- A U.S. Postal Service employee pleaded guilty today to charges of illegal possession of firearms by a previously convicted felon. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
05-22-09 -- TRENTON -- A second member of a bank robbery gang whose spree included an attempted robbery during which an FBI Special Agent was tragically killed was sentenced today to 85 years in federal prison. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-21-09 -- NEWARK -- A top associate in the Gambino Crime Family, who is a former investigator with the Essex County Prosecutor's Office, pleaded guilty yesterday to a federal racketeering charge. AUSA Ronald D. Wigler, 973-645-2822.
05-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Jersey City building inspector pleaded guilty today to attempting to extort corrupt cash payments from contractors in Jersey City. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-20-09 -- NEWARK -- Defense attorney Paul Bergrin was arrested today with three other individuals on an Indictment charging him with being the leader of a racketeering conspiracy that included murder of a witness in a drug case, the attempted hiring of a hitman in another drug case, wire fraud and money laundering. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Bergrin et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Bergrin et. al Indictment (.pdf)
Bergrin et. al. Detention Certification (.pdf)
05-20-09 -- NEWARK -- Assemblyman and former Perth Amboy Mayor Joseph Vas and his longtime aide Melvin Ramos surrendered to Special Agents with the FBI in Newark this morning in connection with an 11-count federal Indictment that alleges Vas corruptly misused his position and authority as the Mayor of Perth Amboy for his own financial gain. AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Jenny R. Kramer, 973-645-2853 and 973-645-2793, respectively.
Vas et. al. News Release (.pdf)
05-19-09 -- NEWARK -- The former owner of Maximus Financial Group, an investment firm operating out of Bayonne, was sentenced to 150 months in federal prison yesterday for his conviction for running a scheme to defraud over 70 victims of approximately $2 million. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-18-09 -- NEWARK -- Suspended Newark Police Department Detective Michelle Davis was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for her conviction on charges of conspiracy to commit money laundering and three substantive money laundering counts. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-18-09 -- NEWARK -- A former detective-sergeant of the Passaic County Sheriff's Department who was also a former Haledon Borough council member was sentenced today to 85 months in federal prison for conspiring to distribute significant quantities of cocaine that he had stolen from the evidence vault at the Sheriff's Department. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-14-09 -- CAMDEN -- The leader of a Camden drug trafficking organization was sentenced to life plus 120 months in federal prison today for his conviction on federal drug and murder charges for his leadership role in a drug distribution conspiracy and ordering a murder in furtherance of the organization's operation. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4869 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
05-12-09 -- TRENTON -- A Trenton man was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison today for distribution of crack cocaine. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
05-11-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden man pleaded guilty today for his role as a member of a major cocaine distribution organization in Camden. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
05-11-09 -- TRENTON -- The leader of a bank robbery gang whose spree included an attempted robbery during which an FBI Special Agent was tragically killed was sentenced today to more than 117 years in federal prison. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Herrera-Genao News Release (.pdf)
05-08-09 -- NEWARK -- A Queens, N.Y. man pleaded guilty today to supplying Social Security numbers to members of an identity fraud ring. AUSA Erez Liebermann and Seth Kosto, 973-645-2874 and 2737, respectively.
05-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- The brother of a former Camden drug leader Raymond Morales pleaded guilty today for his role in Morales' Continuing Criminal Enterprise that distributed in excess of 50 kilograms of cocaine in Camden. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
05-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- A former business administrator and then superintendent at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Hunterdon County was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for embezzling more than $90,000 from the school district. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-07-09 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted a California man of conspiring with several people from New Jersey, including his brother, to distribute and possess with intent to distribute more than 300 grams of methamphetamine. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-07-09 -- NEWARK -- A Hamilton Township, Mercer County, man was sentenced to 360 months in federal prison today for sexually abusing a child over a period of three years and videotaping the acts.
Chojnowski News Release (.pdf)
05-06-09 -- NEWARK -- Two New Jersey men, one a former employee of New York Presbyterian Hospital, pleaded guilty today to conspiring to steal approximately $1.2 million in medical equipment from the hospital and then reselling it over the Internet at discounted prices. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Stamm & Schwartz News Release (.pdf)
05-05-09 -- NEWARK -- Eight people in the United States and abroad were indicted by a federal grand jury yesterday for their alleged participation in an international drug trafficking conspiracy. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Folkes et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Folkes et. al. Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
04-29-09 -- CAMDEN -- The remaining two men convicted of plotting to kill members of the U.S. military during an armed attack on a military base were sentenced today to federal prison terms of life for one defendant and 33 years for the other for conspiring to kill members of teh U.S. military. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
Shnewer et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-28-09 -- CAMDEN -- Three brothers who were convicted of plotting to kill members of the U.S. military during an armed attack on a military base were sentenced today to life prison terms. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PAO, 856-757-5233.
Duka et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A former computer systems administrator at a mutual fund management company admitted today that he attempted to extort improved severance benefits from the company by threatening to damage its computer systems and data. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
Savtyrev Amended Complaint (.pdf)
04-24-09 -- TRENTON -- Phillipsburg-based Atlantic States Cast Iron Pipe Co. (a division of McWane, Inc. of Alabama) was sentenced today to pay a fine of $8 million for its convictions for committing flagrant abuses of environmental and worker safety laws as well as obstructing investigations of its conduct. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Atlantic States et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-22-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former president of a private inspection services company pleaded guilty today to a charge of bribery, admitting he gave a $5,000 corrupt payment to the former director of the Cherry Hill Department of Code Enforcement and Inspections in exchange for township employee's official assistance in obtaining a municipal contract. AUSA Joshua Drew, 856-968-4925.
McLaughlin News Release (.pdf)
04-22-09 -- CAMDEN -- An enforcer for a major cocaine distribution organization was sentenced to life plus 120 months in federal prison today for his conviction on federal drug and murder charges for his role in a drug distribution conspiracy and for committing a murder in furtherance of the organization's operations. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4869 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
04-22-09 -- NEWARK -- A so-called "five-star general" in the Gangsta Killa Bloods set of the Bloods street gang pleaded guilty today to aggravated identity theft and stealing government money, admitting he stole the identity of a paranoid schizophrenic military veteran in order to steal the victim's disability benefits payments from the Department of Veterans Affairs. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
04-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted former state Senator Joseph Coniglio on five counts of mail fraud and one count of extortion in connection with an influence-peddling scheme connected to a $66,000-a-year consulting arrangement with Hackensack University Medical Center, Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
04-16-09 -- NEWARK -- A husband and wife from Middlesex County who operated a tax preparation business were sentenced today to federal prison terms for participating in a scheme to defraud investors out of nearly $2.5 million and to evading the payment of federal income taxes. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO and Robert Glantz, IRS CID Public Affairs, 973-645-2888, 732-761-3381, respectively.
04-14-09 -- TRENTON -- A Trenton cocaine wholesaler was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy that distributed large kilogram quantities of cocaine in the Philadelphia and New Jersey area. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 856-757-5231.
04-13-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden cocaine dealer was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for his role in a conspiracy that distributed in excess of 50 kilograms of cocaine in Camden. AUSAs Howard Wiener and Diana Carrig, 856-968-4926 and 856-968-4927, respectively.
04-10-09 -- TRENTON -- A Trenton doctor was indicted today on charges of tax evasion for not claiming and paying taxes owed on income he gained through an alleged kickback scheme with a laboratory, a capitation agreement with a health insurer and a loan agreement with a hospital. AUSA Charles B. McKenna, 973-645-2716.
04-09-09 -- NEWARK -- The ringleader of a massive "Ponzi" scheme pleaded guilty today to a fraud he and others operated through his company, NJ Affordable Homes, Corp. (NJAH), a purported real estate investment business, which defrauded hundreds of investors and mortgage lenders of more than $80 million. AUSAs Robert Kirsch and Justin W. Arnold, 973-645-2846 and 2785, respectively.
04-08-09 -- NEWARK -- The former Chief of Staff to the Newark City Council President was sentenced today to 51 months in federal prison for accepting $15,500 in bribes in exchange for using his official influence with public officials in Newark, Irvington and elsewhere to steer insurance brokerage business to an undercover FBI company. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
04-06-09 -- NEWARK -- The Project Coordinator and engineer for the West New York Department of Public Works pleaded guilty today to taking corrupt cash payments from contractors. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
04-02-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Phoenixville, Pa., man pleaded guilty today to a two-count Information for his leadership role in operating two Ponzi schemes upon members of a Toms River church, which resulted in total losses of more than $1 million. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
03-31-09 -- NEWARK -- A Jersey City man today admitted robbing or attempting to rob nine banks in New Jersey and Connecticut over a five-month period in 2008 and getting away with more than $39,000. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
03-31-09 -- NEWARK -- Monmouth County developer Steven Meiterman was sentenced today to 30 months in prison for bribing a sewer authority official with thousands of dollars in architectural drawings to gain favor in getting sewerage service to Meiterman projects in Marlboro Township. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
03-30-09 -- CAMDEN -- A senior investigator with the N.J. Department of Labor & Workforce Development, Division of Wage and Hour Compliance, pleaded guilty today to federal charges in connection with a bribery scheme, admitting he accepted bribe payments totaling more than $1.86 million from owners and operators of temporary labor firms in return for his official assistance benefitting the companies. AUSA Joshua Drew, 856-968-4925.
Kong Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Nguyen Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
Peyton Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
03-30-09 -- NEWARK -- In one of a series of convictions and charges against property owners in West New York, Anthony Lam, 51, of Nutley, pleaded guilty today to attempting to bribe West New York public officials to obtain official action with respect to an apartment building that Lam owned on 62nd Street in West New York. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.
03-30-09 -- NEWARK -- Eighteen-month Deferred Prosecution Agreements (DPAs) with four companies in the lucrative hip and knee surgical implant industry expired today upon satisfactory completion of terms designed to reform industry practices involving payment of financial inducements to surgeons who use their products. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
Hip & Knee News Release (.pdf)
03-27-09 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education member and city councilman Maurice "Pete" Callaway was sentenced to 15 months in federal prison today for accepting bribes in return for his official assistance in steering board of education contracts. AUSAs David A. Bocian, Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Jenny Kramer-Hall, 609-989-2399, 973-297-2067 and 973-645-2793, respectively.
03-27-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pennsauken man pleaded guilty today to committing a string of seven bank robberies in southern New Jersey, Pennsylvania and Illinois. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
03-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A Rumson physician was sentenced today to 41 months in prison for unlawfully prescribing the controlled painkiller oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. AUSA Robert Frazer, 973-645-2897.
03-27-09 -- NEWARK -- Today, Special Agent In Charge Weysan Dun announced the arrest of William C. Murphy, age 58, on charges of possession of child pornography. Murphy is employed as a school bus driver.
Murphy Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
03-25-09 -- NEWARK -- A former treasurer of the Branchburg Republican District Committee was sentenced today to three years of probation with six months of home confinement with electronic monitoring for misappropriating $10,000 from the committee's bank account. AUSA Mark J. McCarren, 973-645-2867.
03-25-09 -- NEWARK -- A cardiologist pleaded guilty today to a criminal conspiracy in which he and his physician partners put their spouses on their medical practice's payroll to render them independently eligible for Social Security disability and retirement benefits. AUSAs Robert Kirsch and Maureen Nakly, 973-645-2846 and 2723, respectively.
03-24-09 -- NEWARK -- The former chairman of the Ocean Township Sewerage Authority was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for accepting $15,000 in corrupt payments from civil engineer Howard Schoor as a reward for favoring Schoor’s firm on large contracts with the authority. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
03-23-09 -- TRENTON -- A Lacey Township woman was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison today for manufacturing methamphetamine. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
03-23-09 -- NEWARK -- The United States filed suit today against private property owners in the Delaware Water Gap National Recreation Area to enjoin them from their continued blocking of a hundreds-years old public road through the park. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
03-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A former construction project manager at two federally insured banks was indicted today on charges of bank fraud, conspiracy, soliciting a bribe from a bank contractor, and money laundering. AUSA Seth B. Kosto, 973-645-2737.
03-19-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Jamaican man was sentenced to 49 months in federal prison today for his leadership role in a group than ran a bi-coastal marijuana trafficking and money laundering ring that originated in California and expanded into at least six other states. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
03-19-09 -- TRENTON -- A former baggage screener for the Transportation Security Administration at Newark Liberty International Airport pleaded guilty today to stealing cameras, electronics and other items from checked baggage. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
03-18-09 -- NEWARK -- A Togolese man from East Orange pleaded guilty today in connection with the forced labor of dozens of young West African females working in hair-braiding salons in Newark and East Orange. AUSA Shana W. Chen, 973-353-6095.
03-18-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Detroit man was sentenced to 72 months in federal prison today for conspiring to purchase large quantities of cocaine in Camden County to be transported to Detroit. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
03-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A Paterson man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving rental properties in Paterson. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
03-16-09 -- NEWARK -- A Department of Defense civilian employee pleaded guilty today to obtaining tax-free federal workers disability compensation by making false statements and concealing his landscaping and handyman business that he operated on the side. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.
03-12-09 -- TRENTON -- A Brick man was indicted by a federal grand jury today for allegedly committing six bank robberies in Ocean, Middlesex and Monmouth counties. AUSA Harvey Bartle, IV, 609-656-2504.
03-11-09 -- NEWARK -- A prominent property owner in West New York admitted today to bribing the Construction Code Official for the Town of West New York. AUSAs Bradley A. Harsch and Brian Howe, 973-645-2734, 2853, respectively.
03-10-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Swedish shipping company was sentenced today to pay a $1 million fine and a $400,000 community service payment in addition to serving a three-year term of probation for covering up the illegal dumping of oily waste in international waters by crew members of M/V Snow Flower operated by Holy House Shipping AB. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 973-645-6546.
Holy House Shipping News Release (.pdf)
03-06-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Salem City man pleaded guilty today for his role in a cocaine trafficking network that was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of cocaine in the Salem County vicinity. AUSA Jacqueline M. Carle, 856-968-4867.
03-06-09 -- TRENTON -- A former Federal Aviation Administration supervisor at the FAA’s William J. Hughes Technical Center was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for accepting more than $150,000 in corrupt payments from the former president of Digital Management Systems, Inc. in exchange for steering FAA contracts. AUSAs David A. Bocian and Hope S. Olds, 609-989-2399 and 973-645-2764, respectively.
03-03-09 -- CAMDEN -- The former director of the Cherry Hill Department of Code Enforcement and Inspections and the president of a private inspection services company were charged today in separate one-count criminal Complaints for their scheme to trade municipal contracts for corrupt cash payments and paid expenses associated with atttending conferences held at Nevada and Atlantic City casinos. AUSA Joshua Drew, 856-968-4925.
Saccomanno et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Saccomanno Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
McLaughlin Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
02-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A New York man was indicted today for allegedly orchestrating a $4.2 million broadcasting equipment lease and financing scheme that caused losses of more than $3 million for major lenders. AUSA Leslie Faye Schwartz, 973-645-3986.
02-26-09 -- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted former Passaic Councilman Jonathan Soto on all 23 counts against him in a Superseding Indictment charging him with bribery, extortion and attempted drug possession. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
02-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Willingboro man was arrested yesterday evening on a one-count criminal Complaint charging him with distribution and possession with intent to distribute crack cocaine. AUSAs Jason M. Richardson and Kevin Smith, 856-968-4869 and 856-968-4928, respectively.
02-26-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Springfield Gardens, N.Y. man was sentenced today to 63 months in federal prison for robbing a Wachovia Bank branch in Kenilworth last year. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
02-26-09 -- NEWARK -- A former Port Authority police recruit who also managed professional boxers in New Jersey pleaded guilty today to conspiring with a detective-sergeant in the Passaic County Sheriff's Department to distribute significant quantities of cocaine that had been stolen from the Sheriff's Department evidence vault. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
02-25-09 -- NEWARK -- A Clifton man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy in connection with a mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving rental properties in Paterson. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
02-24-09 -- NEWARK -- A Chinese national pleaded guilty today to conspiring to export military-grade night-vision technology from the United States to the Republic of China. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
Xu Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
02-24-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Clifton man was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for tampering with power meters at residences and businesses and causing an electric utility to undercharge customers more than $2 million. AUSA Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2874.
02-24-09 -- NEWARK -- A Bergen County man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy and money laundering conspiracy in connection with a mortgage fraud and property-flipping scheme involving rental properties in Paterson. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
02-23-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Woodbridge man was sentenced to 39 months in federal prison today for orchestrating a scheme to steal credit card numbers from retail establishments, including service stations. AUSA Joshua W. Drew, 856-968-4925.
02-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man pleaded guilty today to wire fraud conspiracy, money laundering conspiracy and theft in connection with a scheme to steal funds from the 401(k) retirement accounts of seven victims. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
Owoeye et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Owoeye et. al Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
02-20-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Palmyra man pleaded guilty today to weapon and drug charges for illegally selling firearms and distribution of crack cocaine. AUSA Matthew T. Smith, 856-757-5104.
02-20-09 -- TRENTON -- A cocaine wholesale supplier to drug dealers in the Trenton area pleaded guilty today to a drug conspiracy charge for possessing seven kilograms of cocaine and approximately $24,290 in cash in a hidden compartment in a vehicle used to transport the cocaine from Texas to Trenton. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.
02-19-09 -- NEWARK -- A Liberian-incorporated shipping company and two of its ship engineers were indicted today in connection with an alleged attempt by crew members of the M/V Myron N to cover up the illegal dumping of oily waste in international waters. AUSA Kathleen P. O'Leary, 973-645-2841.
Dalnave Navigation News Release (.pdf)
Dalvave Navigation et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
02-19-09 -- TRENTON -- The owner of Factory Direct Modular Homes, Inc. in Brick pleaded guilty today to tax charges for under reporting the business's income for tax years 2002 and 2003 by a total of approximately $406,000. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
Pfefferkorn News Release (.pdf)
Pfefferkorn Information (.pdf)
02-19-09 -- TRENTON -- A pharmacy technician formerly employed at Community Medical Center in Toms River pleaded guilty today to federal Indictment that charges him with conspiring to illegally distribute oxycodone. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
02-19-09 -- NEWARK -- Four individuals pleaded guilty today to participating in a criminal conspiracy with the owner of an Edison-based consulting firm to defrauding the United States by obtaining H-1B visas and green cards for ineligible or unqualified Indian nationals. AUSA Sandra L. Moser, 973-645-2729.
02-18-09 -- NEWARK -- An Owego, N.Y. businessman pleaded guilty yesterday to a one-count Information charging him with conspiring to structure a series of financial transactions to avoid reporting requirements placed on banks. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 973-645-6546.
Springsteen News Release (.pdf)
Springsteen Information (.pdf)
02-17-09 -- NEWARK -- A Miami man charged in 2006 with secretly hacking into the computer networks of unsuspecting Internet phone service providers was indicted today by a federal grand jury. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
02-11-09 -- NEWARK -- The former second-in-command at the Kushner Companies was sentenced to 38 months in federal prison and ordered to pay a $100,000 fine today for his conviction on charges of conspiring to defraud the United States and aiding and assisting in the filing of false tax returns. AUSAs Thomas J. Eicher and Rachael A. Honig, 609-989-0569 and 973-645-2777.
Stadtmauer News Release (.pdf)
02-11-09 -- CAMDEN -- A former New York Police Department dispatcher pleaded guilty today to a two-count Information that charges him with traveling to the Deptford Mall in Gloucester County for the purpose of engaging in illicit sexual conduct with an individual whom he believed was a 14-year-old female and distribution of child pornography. AUSA Jacqueline M. Carle, 856-968-4867.
02-09-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Washington Township, Gloucester County, doctor was sentenced to 57 months in federal prison today for illegally selling prescriptions for oxycodone without a legitimate medical purpose and outside the usual course of professional practice. AUSAs Matthew Skahill and Matthew Smith, 856-968-4929 and 856-757-5104.
02-09-09 -- TRENTON -- A high-ranking member or "4-star general" of a Trenton Bloods street gang known as "Gangster Killer Bloods" or "GKB" was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for distribution of crack cocaine. AUSA Jimmy Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
02-04-09 -- NEWARK -- A New Jersey attorney and a company executive pleaded guilty to participating in a criminal conspiracy involving NJ Affordable Homes, Corp. (NJAH), a purported real estate investment company, which defrauded hundreds of investors and mortgage lenders of more than $20 million. AUSAs Robert Kirsch and Justin W. Arnold, 973-645-2846 and 2785, respectively.
Natale et. al. News Release (.pdf)
02-04-09 -- NEWARK -- Five company officials and a pilot associated with a luxury charter jet company that operated a flight from Teterboro Airport which crashed on takeoff in 2005 were named in a 23-count Indictment charging a series of crimes, including endangering the safety of aircraft. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Platinum Jet News Release (.pdf)
Platinum Jet Indictment (.pdf)
02-02-09 -- TRENTON -- A Brick man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with producing child pornography. AUSA Jimmy Kitchen 609-989-2258.
01-30-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Bridgeton man was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today for making and possessing counterfeited securities. AUSA Allen Harberg, Jr., 856-757-5231.
01-29-09 -- CAMDEN -- The owner/operator of a Hammonton insurance business pleaded guilty today to conspiracy charges in connection with the sale of false and fraudulent insurance policies and obstructing justice. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
01-28-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pleasantville man was sentenced to 12 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges of assisting former Pleasantville Board of Education member Maurice "Pete" Callaway in the receipt of cash bribes. AUSAs Jenny R. Kramer and Christopher J. Gramiccioni, 973-645-2793 and 973-297-2067, respectively.
01-27-09 -- NEWARK -- The former business manager of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers was sentenced today to 46 months in prison for embezzling from the union and taking bribes from contractors. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
01-27-09 -- NEWARK -- A priest traveling from Poland to the United States last July was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for fondling a 16-year-old girl aboard a flight to Newark Liberty International Airport. Contact: Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
01-26-09 -- TRENTON -- A Hamilton Township man pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging him with sexually abusing a child over a period of three years and videotaping the acts. AUSAs Jacqueline M. Carle and Kevin T. Smith, 856-968-4867 and 856-968-4928, respectively.
Chojnowski News Release (.pdf)
01-26-09 -- NEWARK -- A New York accountant who assisted a tax client to conceal hundreds of thousands of dollars in income from the Internal Revenue Service pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
01-23-09 -- NEWARK -- The owner of an Elizabeth construction business was convicted in federal court today of paying bribes to a former Linden housing official in return for hundreds of thousands of dollars in contracts. AUSAs Adam S. Lurie and Richard E. Constable, III, 973-645-2749, 2719, respectively.
01-22-09 -- NEWARK -- A Sayreville man was sentenced today to 33 months in federal prison for operating a steroid manufacturing operation out of his home and illegal possession of two firearms. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.
01-21-09 -- NEWARK -- Dennis J. Giblin, the administrator of an education fund for a labor union based in West Caldwell, was arrested today on a criminal Complaint charging him with receiving kickbacks and embezzling from the education fund. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
Giblin Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
01-20-09 -- NEWARK -- A former information technology contractor for the City of Newark was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for fraudulently obtaining Cisco Systems, Inc. replacement computer parts which he resold, netting him millions of dollars, and for tax evasion. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.
01-13-09 -- TRENTON -- A Colorado man was arrested in Las Vegas today for his role in a bank and identity fraud scheme that attempted to defraud financial institutions and their account holders throughout the United States of more than $20 million through the unauthorized and fraudulent debit of customer bank accounts. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
Saleki et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Saleki et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
01-12-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Camden drug dealer was arrested Saturday on a one-count federal criminal Complaint for murdering a Camden man who had been suspected of ripping off a stash house of crack cocaine. AUSA Kevin Smith, 856-968-4928.
Reddick Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
01-09-09 -- NEWARK -- A Linden man who is also facing state murder charges pleaded guilty in federal court today to conspiring to distributing ecstasy pills. AUSA Jonathan W. Romankow, 973-645-2884.
01-09-09 -- TRENTON -- An Asbury Park man was sentenced today to 60 months in federal prison for distribution of crack cocaine. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
01-08-09 -- NEWARK -- A U.S. Department of Defense civilian employee was arrested today and charged with obtaining tax-free federal workers' disability compensation by making false statements and concealing his landscaping and handyman business that he operated on the side. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.
Childs Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
01-08-09 -- CAMDEN -- A Pleasantville man was sentenced to 200 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges for transporting minor females from Allentown, Pa., to the Atlantic City vicinity for the purpose of having them engage in prostitution. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
01-08-09 -- TRENTON -- A pharmacy technician formerly employed at Community Medical Center in Toms River was sentenced today to 12 months in federal prison for illegally distributing oxycodone. AUSA Peter N. Katz, 609-989-0565.
01-08-09 -- NEWARK -- A former business administrator who later became superintendent at Delaware Valley Regional High School in Hunterdon County pleaded guilty today to embezzling more than $90,000 from the school district. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
01-05-09 -- NEWARK -- Four members of a Newark-based "smash-and-grab" jewelry store robbery ring, which targeted jewelry stores in shopping malls in New Jersey, Pennsylvania, Florida and Georgia, were sentenced today to sentences ranging from 57 months to 102 months in prison. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.
