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U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger

Woman Charged With Selling $18M In Bogus Coupons Downloaded In NJ: Feds Woman Charged With Selling $18M In Bogus Coupons Downloaded In NJ: Feds
Woman Charged With Selling $18M In Bogus Coupons Downloaded In NJ: Feds A San Antonio, TX, woman was arrested and charged with selling more than $18 million worth of counterfeit coupons used at various retail stores across the United States — including New Jersey — for the purchase of household items, federal officials said. From June 2020 through June 2024, Janet Bernal — who goes by the names Rocky, Rocky G, Rocky Gee, and RockyG-Kruella — orchestrated a scheme to produce and sell fraudulent, counterfeit coupons for use by purchasers at retail stores throughout the United States, including large pharmacies and grocery stores, U.S. Attorney Philip R. …
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man
Reality Bites NJ ‘Real Housewives’ Ex Convicted Of Hiring Mobster To Beat Wife’s New Man 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: Reality bit the ex-husband of “Real Housewives of New Jersey” cast member Dina Manzo when he was convicted Tuesday of getting a mob soldier to throw her new beau a beating. Restaurateur Thomas Manzo, 59, who lives in the affluent Bergen County suburb of Franklin Lakes, rejected a plea deal from federal prosecutors and took his chances with a jury. That didn’t go so good. Jurors in U.S. District Court in Newark convicted Manzo on June 4 of committing a violent crime in aid of racketeering, along with conspiracy and falsifying documents during a grand jury investigation. Althou…
'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More 'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More
'King James': NJ Lawyer Gets 4½ Years, No Early Release For $2 Million Theft From Family, More 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A once-prominent New Jersey lawyer must spend the next 4½ years in federal prison for swindling a family he represented out of $2 million -- and then, while on pre-trial release, impersonating another attorney in applying for a loan. The family had retained James R. Lisa, 68, of Jersey City, to gather millions that had been moved into offshore bank accounts by relatives decades ago and to resolve any tax issues that arose as a result, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Soon after being retained, Lisa moved more than $6 million back into the United States but told the famil…
Ex-NJ Boy Scouts Worker, 70, Admits Trafficking Child Porn, Recording Kids In Bathroom: Feds Ex-NJ Boy Scouts Worker, 70, Admits Trafficking Child Porn, Recording Kids In Bathroom: Feds
Ex-NJ Boy Scouts Worker, 70, Admits Trafficking Child Porn, Recording Kids In Bathroom: Feds 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A 70-year-old former New Jersey Boy Scout camp employee admitted secretly recording videos of children using bathrooms there, federal authorities said.  William Mickel was employed by the Boy Scouts of America in Morris County when he trafficked videos and still images of child sex abuse via email, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Mickel had hundreds of files stored on electronic devices in his Lake Hopatcong home, some of which "depicted children who were surreptitiously recorded using bathrooms in the Boy Scout camps where Mickel worked," Sellinger said.…
Hudson Man Admits Posting Dark Web Sex Video Of Boy Who Ended Up Taking His Own Life: FBI Hudson Man Admits Posting Dark Web Sex Video Of Boy Who Ended Up Taking His Own Life: FBI
Hudson Man Admits Posting Dark Web Sex Video Of Boy Who Ended Up Taking His Own Life: FBI A Hudson County man admitted sharing sexual videos on the dark web that he got from a minor who subsequently committed suicide, federal authorities said. Authorities arrested Julio Albery Nunez, 27, West New York, for posing as a teenage girl to get an underage boy to send him video of himself masturbating and urinating for money, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. That particular boy wasn’t the only one, records show. Nunez admitted that he “communicated electronically with several other minors and requested and received sexual content from them, including one minor victim who ultima…
NJ Postal Worker Admits Spending $54,000 On USPS Credit Cards NJ Postal Worker Admits Spending $54,000 On USPS Credit Cards
NJ Postal Worker Admits Spending $54,000 On USPS Credit Cards A post office worker in South Jersey admitted going on a $54,000 personal spending spree, buying power tools, gift cards, groceries and more with U.S. Postal Service plastic. Austin T. Mahan, 44, of Cape May Court House, was working at the Sea Isle and Somers Point facilities when he used postal service credit cards at retail stores in and around New Jersey over a six-month period beginning in 2022, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. "These purchases included thousands of dollars’ worth of gift cards as well as various home décor items, home renovation materials, power and handhel…
UPDATE: Newark Woman, 21, Gets Dozen Years For Jersey City Robbery Spree, Clerk Shooting UPDATE: Newark Woman, 21, Gets Dozen Years For Jersey City Robbery Spree, Clerk Shooting
Update: Newark Woman, 21, Gets Dozen Years For Jersey City Robbery Spree, Clerk Shooting 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A 21-year-old Newark woman is headed to federal prison for 12 years for her role in a violent robbery spree in Jersey City in which a fast-food clerk was shot in the chest. Siobhan Chandler will have to serve at least a decade before she'll be eligible for release because there's no parole in the federal prison system.Chandler had hoped for leniency when she took a deal from the government and admitted she was with ex-con Rodney Williams when he robbed a gas station and store at gunpoint and then shot a restaurant clerk during a third holdup last Nov. 14 Police captured bo…
NJ Woman, 77, Embezzles $1M In Benefits Intended For Aunt Who Died In 1998: Indictment NJ Woman, 77, Embezzles $1M In Benefits Intended For Aunt Who Died In 1998: Indictment
NJ Woman, 77, Embezzles $1M In Benefits Intended For Aunt Who Died In 1998: Indictment 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A New Jersey woman was indicted by a federal grand jury for stealing more than $1 million of benefits meant for an aunt who died 25 years ago, authorities said. Janis Miller, 77, of South Orange even went as far as trying to impersonate her aunt in a phone conversation with a Social Security worker, according to the indictment returned in U.S. District Court in Newark. However, she couldn’t come up with her aunt’s exact birthdate – just an approximation, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Unaware of Miller’s aunt’s death in 1998, the federal Social Security Administration…
NJ Feds: PA Sex Offender Recorded Tryst With Minor In UK NJ Feds: PA Sex Offender Recorded Tryst With Minor In UK
NJ Feds: PA Sex Offender Recorded Tryst With Minor In UK A registered sex offender from Pennsylvania who authorities said recorded himself and a minor having sex in the United Kingdom is now in federal custody in New Jersey. Gregory J. Barger, 38, of Morrisville, PA, was originally one of 21 accused predators arrested by undercover investigators with the New Jersey attorney general's and Mercer County (NJ) prosecutor's offices in what became known as "Operation Risky Business" in the spring of 2022. It came to light during that probe, however, that Barger had flown to the United Kingdom, where he recorded video and still images on his phone of hi…
NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home
NJ Woman Convicted By Federal Jurors Of Having Cocaine, Meth Fed-Exed To Her Home 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: An Essex County woman who took her chances with a federal jury rather than accept a plea deal from the government was convicted of having cocaine FedExed to her apartment. Authorities intercepted two parcels addressed to "John Brown" in Newark in March 2021, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Mahogany Hawkins, 32, answered the door when an undercover officer posing as a FedEx driver delivered both of them, he said.Detectives knocked on the door again, identifying themselves as police this time, the U.S. attorney said.Hawkins said she was “getting dressed” and didn’t respon…
Feds: NJ Man, 45, Sent Out-Of-State Girl Sex Toys, Costumes To Make Videos For Him Feds: NJ Man, 45, Sent Out-Of-State Girl Sex Toys, Costumes To Make Videos For Him
Feds: NJ Man, 45, Sent Out-Of-State Girl Sex Toys, Costumes To Make Videos For Him A 45-year-old New Jersey man sent costumes and sex toys to a 16-year-old girl who lives out of state so she could make explicit videos and other images for him, federal authorities charged. Jeremy Greenwald, 45, of South Amboy, paid the youngster to create and sent him the images of her engaging in sexually explicit conduct," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Greenwald "directed the victim to perform certain sexual activities, even using items Greenwald had purchased and sent the victim to use during the videos, including sex toys and costume," the U.S. attorney said. Members of the …
NJ Child Porn Trafficker Got Child To Perform Online For Him, Feds Charge NJ Child Porn Trafficker Got Child To Perform Online For Him, Feds Charge
NJ Child Porn Trafficker Got Child To Perform Online For Him, Feds Charge A child porn trafficker from Middlesex County got a minor to perform online for him, federal authorities charged. Francisco Villafane, 37, of Perth Amboy, initially lost contact after he began texting with the youngster in 2020, but they resumed communication in late 2023, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Villafane "exchanged sexually explicit content with the victim and solicited explicit material...including videos of the victim engaging in sexual acts at Villafane’s request," the U.S. attorney said. Members of his Newark Child Exploitation and Human Trafficking Task Force ch…
Feds: NY Man Who Shook Down Jersey Shore Dad For $200G Gets 10 Years, No Parole Feds: NY Man Who Shook Down Jersey Shore Dad For $200G Gets 10 Years, No Parole
Feds: NY Man Who Shook Down Jersey Shore Dad For $200G Gets 10 Years, No Parole UPDATE: A man who admitted trying to strong-arm a Jersey Shore resident into giving him and his accomplices $200,000 must spend the next decade in federal prison. Francis A. Garzon, 35, of Brooklyn, must serve the entire plea-bargained 121-month sentence because there's no parole in the federal prison system. Garzon and Endrit Kllogjeri, 28, were undone by an undercover detective posing as the Monmouth County victim. Garzon took a deal from the government, pleading guilty last July to conspiracy and extortion rather than risk the potential consequences of a trial conviction. Kllogjeri, me…
Wheelman Admits Role In Carjacking Of Montclair Woman In Her Driveway: Feds Wheelman Admits Role In Carjacking Of Montclair Woman In Her Driveway: Feds
Wheelman Admits Role In Carjacking Of Montclair Woman In Her Driveway: Feds An Essex County man admitted his role in carjacking a Montclair woman at gunpoint in her driveway, federal authorities said. Andy Cook, 24, of Newark was with an armed man who pointed a gun at the victim, ordered her to leave her purse, phone and keys behind and get out of her 2021 Porsche Cayenne on Melrose Place in the township's Estate section on Dec. 6, 2021, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Cook then got behind the wheel and drove off, he said. Essex County sheriff's officers spotted the Porsche on Route 280 in East Orange a short time later and pursued it. Cook soon hit heavy…
10-Year Minimum Awaits Repeat Child Porn Collector Caught With 1,300 Files At Newark Airport 10-Year Minimum Awaits Repeat Child Porn Collector Caught With 1,300 Files At Newark Airport
10-Year Minimum Awaits Repeat Child Porn Collector Caught With 1,300 Files At Newark Airport A convicted child porn collector from North Jersey who'd moved to Ecuador after serving his time here is headed to federal prison for at least 10 more years. Christopher Carvajal, 30, most recently of North Bergen, had 900 videos and more than 400 images of child sex -- some of it involving infants or toddlers -- on his iPhone when Homeland Security Investigations seized him at Newark Airport last year. It also contained messages in which Carvajal "discussed his desire for sexual encounters with young children," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Rather than risk a much more lengthy…
UPDATE: Hudson Man Gets 70 Months In Fed Pen For Grooming Girls, 15, To Send Him Homemade Porn UPDATE: Hudson Man Gets 70 Months In Fed Pen For Grooming Girls, 15, To Send Him Homemade Porn
Update: Hudson Man Gets 70 Months In Fed Pen For Grooming Girls, 15, To Send Him Homemade Porn A now-former Hudson County real estate agent was sentenced to nearly six years in federal prison for grooming two 15-year-old girls to create pornographic photos and videos of themselves for him. Erick Solis, 25, of Weehawken will have to serve the entire 70-month sentence because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. After finding and grooming the girls on social media, Solis told them to “take sexually explicit photographs and videos of themselves and send them to him," U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. “What will your friend friends/teachers think if I picked you up from…
Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Said He Was DEA: Indictment Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Said He Was DEA: Indictment
Pistol-Packing Ex-Con Busted At Jersey Shore ER Said He Was DEA: Indictment An ex-con who authorities said showed up at a Jersey Shore emergency room packing a loaded gun and claiming he was a DEA agent was indicted by a federal grand jury. Wesley Rucker, 36, of Tinton Falls has had more than two years to consider a deal with the government rather than proceed with the case. He hasn’t taken one, however, and now he’s under indictment. Staff members at Hackensack Meridian Health Riverview Medical Center in Red Bank spotted Rucker carrying the handgun in his waistband, the ATF said. “Rucker showed the security officer two identification cards in a leather bifold wa…
Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole
Convict In 9-Robbery Spree In NJ, NY Gets Whopping 34 Years in Federal Prison, No Parole Three Elizabeth men who committed nine armed robberies in less than four months in New Jersey and New York were sentenced to lengthy prison terms. The most severe went to ex-con Vincent Chan-Guillen, 33, who was sentenced to nearly 34 years in federal prison – longer than he’s been alive -- following his conviction of a host of charges. Meanwhile, Jamie Fontanez, 45, got a plea-bargained 14½ years, while 33-year-old Paul Jimenez managed to get 10. All must serve out their terms because there’s no parole in the federal prison system. Store video shows Chan-Guillen pointing a gun at an empl…
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole $2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole
$2M NJ Scammer Who Claimed Dead People As Biz Partners Gets 3 Years, No Parole UPDATE: A scammer from Sussex County who fraudulently collected more than $2 million in federal funds by identifying people who'd been dead for more than a decade as business partners must spend the next three years in federal prison. John Jhong, 54, of Sparta, actually submitted bogus applications for more than $15 million in federal pandemic aid earmarked to help struggling companies during COVID-19, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Jhong "turned these vital relief programs into his personal ATM," spending the more than $2 million he illegally collected on personal expenses, the U.…
Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection
Feds: Digital Fingerprints Lead NJ Agents To Convicted Sex Offender's Child Porn Collection Federal agents working a child porn investigation traced digital fingerprints to a convicted sex offender living in Union County who was downloading more horrifying illegal images when they came busting in, authorities said. Matthew T. Williams, 43, was seized during a raid of his Westfield apartment on Wednesday, Nov. 1. Homeland Security Investigations agents from Newark reported more than 40 child sexual abuse videos found on a drive attached to Williams's computer that was pulling more from the Internet when they arrived. Williams was living in New York State when he was previously con…
Jurors Convict Elizabeth Man Who Lured Out-Of-State Escorts To NJ, Then Raped And Beat Them Jurors Convict Elizabeth Man Who Lured Out-Of-State Escorts To NJ, Then Raped And Beat Them
Jurors Convict Elizabeth Man Who Lured Out-Of-State Escorts To NJ, Then Raped And Beat Them Federal jurors in Newark convicted an Elizabeth man of luring out-of-state escorts to New Jersey for sex with false promises of paying them tens of thousands of dollars, authorities said. Jose Torres, 45, refused to pay those who accepted the offer and often raped and beat any who pressed him for the money, according to an indictment that led to his conviction on Wednesday, Oct. 11, following a six-day trial. Jurors in federal court in Newark found Torres guilty of four counts of persuading, inducing, and enticing women to travel in interstate commerce to engage in prostitution, U…
IN PLAIN SIGHT: Postal Carrier Collected Disability While Operating Morris Travel Agency: Feds IN PLAIN SIGHT: Postal Carrier Collected Disability While Operating Morris Travel Agency: Feds
IN Plain Sight: Postal Carrier Collected Disability While Operating Morris Travel Agency: Feds A Morris County postal carrier collected $155,000 in disability benefits from the federal government while continuing to operate the travel agency that she founded nearly 20 years ago, authorities charged. Pamela VanSyckle, 60, of Oak Ridge, was released on $100,000 unsecured bond following a first appearance in U.S. District Court in Newark on Wednesday. VanSyckle -- who owns and operates Kingdom Konsultants Travel -- is charged with federal employee compensation fraud and making false statements. VanSyckle began receiving disability benefits in September 2020 for an injury that she clai…
'Want To Feel Pain?': NJ Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver 2X Pleads Guilty, Feds Say 'Want To Feel Pain?': NJ Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver 2X Pleads Guilty, Feds Say
'Want To Feel Pain?': NJ Cop Who Pepper-Sprayed Handcuffed Driver 2X Pleads Guilty, Feds Say A South Jersey police officer admitted in federal court to using excessive force when he twice pepper-sprayed a drunken but cooperative driver while handcuffed in 2017, authorities announced. John Grier III, 51, of Cedarville — who was indicted in 2021 — pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Joseph H. Rodriguez in Camden in federal court on Thursday, Oct. 5, to a superseding information charging him with one count of violating an individual’s civil rights, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. A sworn Bridgeton police officer since 2004, Grier's admission is in connection with an…
Fugitive Seized At Newark Airport Gets Year In Prison For Each Of 5 Kilos Of Smuggled Coke Fugitive Seized At Newark Airport Gets Year In Prison For Each Of 5 Kilos Of Smuggled Coke
Fugitive Seized At Newark Airport Gets Year In Prison For Each Of 5 Kilos Of Smuggled Coke An international fugitive who spent more than a decade on the run before he was seized at Newark Airport was sentenced to five years in federal prison for having couriers smuggle more than five kilos of cocaine into the U.S. on a cruise ship. Dennis Edwards, a 38-year-old Guyanese citizen known as “Death,” had avoided capture after being indicted by a federal grand jury on conspiracy charges in 2012, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. Authorities said he conspired to import cocaine from St. Maarten on a cruise ship. Edwards was seized by Homeland Security Investigations (HSI) agents …
Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds
Four Die From Fentanyl Sold By NJ Dealer: Feds Four people were killed by fentanyl peddled by a dealer from Somerset County who was captured in the middle of another sale, authorities said. A federal judge in Newark ordered Mauricio Gutierrez, 50, of Somerset held following an initial court appearance on charges of distributing drugs that killed users. Special agents of U.S. Homeland Security Investigations Newark took custody of Gutierrez after he was busted selling coke in Piscataway on Thursday, Sept. 28, authorities said. One of the buyers shared it with two other people that fateful June 2022 day, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger…
Ex-NJ Corrections Officer's Crypto Scam Targeted Police, Firefighters, EMTs: Authorities Ex-NJ Corrections Officer's Crypto Scam Targeted Police, Firefighters, EMTs: Authorities
Ex-NJ Corrections Officer's Crypto Scam Targeted Police, Firefighters, EMTs: Authorities A retired New Jersey corrections lieutenant preyed on his peers with a cryptocurrency scheme that cost participating police, firefighters, EMTs, and other first responders more than $620,000, state and federal authorities said. John DeSalvo, 47, of Linwood, also pulled a $100,000 investment scam that authorities said went to covering his credit card bills, day trading in cryptocurrencies and payments to a contractor who handled a luxury bathroom renovation for him. DeSalvo -- who worked for the New Jersey Department of Corrections for 13 years before retiring in 2010 -- created and promote…
UPDATE: Number Of Victims Of Repeat Sex Trafficker Reaches Four In NJ, PA, Authorities Charge UPDATE: Number Of Victims Of Repeat Sex Trafficker Reaches Four In NJ, PA, Authorities Charge
Update: Number Of Victims Of Repeat Sex Trafficker Reaches Four In NJ, PA, Authorities Charge The number of alleged victims of a paroled sex trafficker from New Jersey has reached four, federal authorities said. Amin Sharif, 48, of Newark had been free for a year after serving nearly a decade in federal prison when he returned to pimping women and girls, authorities said. Federal agents seized Sharif on sex trafficking charges in January 2022, and have held him since then, while continuing an ongoing investigation that produced an indictment that cites the additional victims. Sharif "used several social media platforms and profiles to recruit women and minors to engage in sex acts…
LOTTERY LOSERS: South Jersey Scammer Admits Laundering $4M From Innocent Victims LOTTERY LOSERS: South Jersey Scammer Admits Laundering $4M From Innocent Victims
Lottery Losers: South Jersey Scammer Admits Laundering $4M From Innocent Victims A South Jersey man admitted laundering more than $4 million from victims who were tricked into thinking they'd won the lottery. Pablo Estrada, 26, of Florence, received the proceeds through various scams over the course of 2½ years, including one in which victims received an unexpected notification that they'd won a large sum in a lottery, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said. They were required to pay fees and expenses, however, before their winnings could be released, the U.S. attorney for New Jersey said. Many fell for the scheme, Sellinger said. Estrada dumped the money into va…
Burglar With Hit List Of Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Gets 50 Months In Federal Prison Burglar With Hit List Of Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Gets 50 Months In Federal Prison
Burglar With Hit List Of Asian Homeowners In NJ, NY, PA, DE Gets 50 Months In Federal Prison UPDATE: A member of a second-story crew who targeted Asian and Asian-American homeowners in New Jersey, New York, Pennsylvania and Delaware for burglaries was sentenced to a plea-bargained four years and two months in federal prison, authorities said. Randi Barr, 42, of Union County, NJ, was part of a group that worked from a hit list of dozens of homes based on “stereotype and opportunity,” federal authorities said. Local, state and federal law enforcement authorities who teamed up to smash the ring found notes in the defendants’ cars that had the home addresses of individuals of Asian des…
Paterson Man, 27, Gets 15½ Years, No Parole, For Having Girl, 11, Send Him Sex Pics Paterson Man, 27, Gets 15½ Years, No Parole, For Having Girl, 11, Send Him Sex Pics
Paterson Man, 27, Gets 15½ Years, No Parole, For Having Girl, 11, Send Him Sex Pics UPDATE: A Paterson man who posted a graphic video of a child being sexually assaulted and then convinced an 11-year-old girl to send him naked photos of herself must spend at least 15 years in federal prison. Jose Minaya, 27, has to serve just about all of the plea-bargained 186-month sentence approved by a U.S. District Court judge in Newark because there's no parole in the federal prison system. He also must remain under lifetime supervised release and register as a sex offender under the terms of a deal he cut with the government. Minaya “used a web-based application to engage an 1…
Teaneck Tax Preparer Busted By IRS In $32.6 Million COVID Fraud Teaneck Tax Preparer Busted By IRS In $32.6 Million COVID Fraud
Teaneck Tax Preparer Busted By IRS In $32.6 Million COVID Fraud A tax preparer from Teaneck was arrested Monday for illegally collecting more than $1 million for himself and $31.6 million for clients in tax refunds by filing fraudulent returns with the government, federal authorities said. Leon Haynes, 49, sought $124.8 million combined from the IRS in nearly 1,400 bogus tax formers that he filed claiming COVID-related employment tax credits, said U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger and Acting Deputy U.S. Assistant Attorney General Stuart M. Goldberg. "Based on Haynes’ false claims about his own companies, the U.S. Treasury mailed him multiple tax re…