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Fraud

Police & Fire
California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor
California Woman Admits To $800,000 Fraud: Morris County Prosecutor A 63-year-old California woman pleaded guilty on Tuesday, Jan. 21 to defrauding a Hanover Township resident out of more than $800,000, authorities said. In 2023, Anna Marie Bustamante posed as an authorized vendor when the victim sent her $806,727.92, via a bank account that was made to resemble the bank account of the authorized vendor, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. As part of her plea agreement with prosecutors, Bustamante is expected to be sentenced to 364 days in the Morris County Correctional Center as a condition of probation, authorities said.  The victi…

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by Sam Barron
News
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever $44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever
$44M COVID Tax Scheme: 7 Nabbed In Largest US Case Ever Seven New Yorkers have been charged in a sweeping tax fraud scheme, accused of exploiting pandemic relief programs to steal over $44 million, federal prosecutors announced. The indictment by the US Attorney's Office for the Eastern District of New York, unsealed Wednesday, Jan. 22, alleges that the defendants filed over 8,000 fraudulent tax returns, seeking more than $600 million in COVID-19 relief funds through the Employee Retention Credit (ERC) and related programs. Investigators determined the group successfully secured $44 million from the federal government. Defendants Long Island …

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by Joe Lombardi
Business
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers
American Express To Pay $230M For Misleading Small Business Customers American Express said it will pay $230 million to resolve federal investigations into deceptive sales tactics and recordkeeping violations involving small business credit card and wire transfer products. The credit card company agreed to pay a $108.7 million civil penalty, the Department of Justice said in a news release on Thursday, Jan. 16. The settlement resolved claims against American Express of deceptive marketing and "dummy" account information. American Express was accused of engaging in unlawful sales tactics and falsifying records between 2014 and 2021. "When financial companies …

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by Chris Spiker
Real Estate
Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M
Chinese Billionaire Fraudster's Former Mansion Is Most Expensive NJ Listing At $33M A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has become the most expensive residential listing in New Jersey, on the market for $33 million (scroll down to see the complete listing with photos). The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in local history. In Mar…

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by Cecilia Levine
News
USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA
USPS Worker Used Fake NJ Documents In $130K Welfare Fraud Scheme: DA A Freeport woman and U.S. Postal Service employee is accused of defrauding public assistance programs of more than $130,000 by failing to report her income from two jobs and rental properties, Nassau County District Attorney Anne Donnelly announced Friday, Jan. 10. Angelique White, 32, allegedly received childcare and Medicaid benefits between 2017 and 2021 while omitting her income from the U.S. Postal Service, Northwell Health, and two rental properties she co-owned in Elmont and Freeport, according to Donnelly. White was arraigned Thursday before Judge Robert Pipia on charges of Grand La…

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by Jillian Pikora
Business
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info
Don't Fall For It: New Twist On Imposter Fraud Targets Your Money, Personal Info The Federal Trade Commission (FTC) is sounding the alarm on a sophisticated new imposter scheme designed to steal your money and personal information.  These scams are becoming increasingly convincing, but learning to spot the red flags can help you stay protected. How the Scam Works Initial Contact: Scammers pose as representatives from well-known companies, such as Amazon or a tech support service. They’ll claim there’s a routine issue, like suspicious charges on your account, a computer virus, or an account breach. Escalation: The scammers lie, saying your name is tied to serious …

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by Joe Lombardi
Police & Fire
Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds
Florham Park Man Bribed Newark Deputy Mayor With $25K In Restroom: Feds A 57-year-old Newark business owner and Florham Park resident admitted earlier this month to bribing a former city official with cash and jewelry to help acquire and redevelop Newark-owned properties, authorities said. Frank Valvano admitted bribing Carmelo Garcia – who served as deputy mayor and director of the Newark Department of Economic and Housing Development and executive vice president and chief real estate officer of the Newark Community Economic Development Corporation in exchange for Garcia’s assistance with the acquisition and redevelopment of city-owned property. Between 2017 a…

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by Sam Barron
News
Morris Plains Property Manager Accused Of 'Elaborate' $1M Fraud Scheme: Prosecutor's Office Morris Plains Property Manager Accused Of 'Elaborate' $1M Fraud Scheme: Prosecutor's Office
Morris Plains Property Manager Accused Of 'Elaborate' $1M Fraud Scheme: Prosecutor's Office A Morris Plains woman is facing charges for allegedly orchestrating what was described as an "elaborate" $1 million fraud scheme while managing a condominium complex, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel announced Monday. Martinia Heath, 43, has been arrested and facing multiple charges in connection to the scheme, which ran between 2019 and 2023, according to authorities. In total, she pocketed more than $1 million. Investigators say Heath falsified records and fabricated invoices while employed as the on-site property manager at the Mountain Club Condominium complex in Morris County…

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by Zak Failla
Real Estate
NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M
NJ Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has hit the market for $33 million. View this post on Instagram A post shared by Carl Gambino (@carlgambino.realestate) The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in loc…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County
Romanian Duo Charged in $289K Bitcoin-For-Fake-Gold Cryptocurrency Scam In Bergen County A year-long investigation has led to charges against two Romanian men accused of orchestrating a cryptocurrency scam involving fake gold and Bitcoin valued at approximately $289,000, and a Bergen County victim, authorities said. The suspects, 33-year-old Ciprian A. Tiber and 43-year-old Ahmed Zarei, remain at large and are believed to have returned to Romania following the alleged fraudulent transaction in September 2023, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced. The investigation began when Hasbrouck Heights police contacted the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crime…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG
Newton Man Gets 5 Years For Pocketing $1.2 Million In Stolen Funds Via E-mail Scheme: AG A 64-year-old Newton man who admitted to aiding an international business email compromise scheme was sentenced to five years in state prison on Friday, Dec. 6, authorities said. Robert Herburger received over $1.2 million in stolen funds between November 2017 and July 2018, according to Attorney General Matthew Platkin and the Office of Securities Fraud and Financial Crimes Prosecutions. Herburger set up fake businesses and opened bank accounts to launder funds stolen through the BEC schemes, Platkin said. These scams often involve fraudulent emails designed to trick employees into sending…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor
California Woman Defrauded Victim Out Of $800K: Morris County Prosecutor A 63-year-old California woman was recently arrested and charged with defrauding a Hanover Township resident out of more than $800,000, authorities said. Last year, Anna Marie Bustamante posed as an authorized vendor when the victim sent her $806,727.92, via a bank account that was made to resemble the bank account of the authorized vendor, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office said. Bustamante was charged with theft, authorities said, and is being detained in California, pending extradition to Morris County.

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by Sam Barron
News
Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG
Bergen County Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG A Bergen County man and his associate are accused of scamming a childhood friend into liquidating her retirement account to fund a software venture, then misusing the money for personal expenses, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced. Michael Lakshin of Fair Lawn and Edward "Eddie" Aizman of Brooklyn, NY, along with their company Bowmo, Inc., face a civil enforcement action for defrauding at least one New Jersey investor, according to a complaint filed by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities on Friday, Nov. 22. Lakshin, leveraging a childhood connection, persuaded the investor t…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services
Trump Taps Dr. Oz, Penn Alum, To Lead Medicare And Medicaid Services President-elect Donald J. Trump has nominated Dr. Mehmet Oz to head the Centers for Medicare and Medicaid Services (CMS), citing the Pennsylvania-educated heart surgeon’s decades-long dedication to healthcare innovation and public advocacy. The announcement came Tuesday, Nov. 19, as Trump highlighted Oz’s qualifications and ties to the Keystone State. Dr. Oz earned both his medical degree and MBA from the University of Pennsylvania’s School of Medicine and Wharton Business School, making him an Ivy League-trained physician and business leader. Trump lauded his achievements in a statement, ca…

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by Jillian Pikora
Police & Fire
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse
NJ Man Charged With Defrauding Victim In Loan Scheme Involving Batmobile, Ghostbusters Hearse A 38-year-old Warren County man was charged on Wednesday, Oct. 23 for defrauding a 91-year-old man who loaned him money, after having settled the case in court, Daily Voice has learned. In May 2021, a 91-year-old Clarksburg resident loaned Asbury resident Christopher Sterlacci $400,000, Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée Robeson and Hunterdon County Chief of Detectives Timothy Drew said. Several vehicles and properties were put up as collateral by Sterlacci for the loan, authorities said. After defaulting on the terms of the loan, it was discovered that the properties and vehi…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD
Identity Thief Nabbed Trying To Spend Stolen $64K At Paramus Best Buy: Bloomingdale PD A Bronx, NY man who stole $64,000 through identity theft was arrested when he tried to use the stolen funds for a purchase at Best Buy in Paramus, authorities said.  Edwin Baez was taken into custody after Bloomingdale police tracked unauthorized activity on the victim’s accounts and collaborated with Paramus Police to apprehend Baez as he tried to pick up the fraudulent order, Bloomingdale Police Sgt. Sami Zeidan said. The case began when the victim noticed unusual activity in their bank account, leading investigators to uncover that Baez had gained access to the victim’s persona…

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by Cecilia Levine
Police & Fire
NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief
NJ Police Officer John Paul Patrick Dies Weeks After On-Duty Medical Episode: Chief The Springfield Police Department is mourning the loss of one of their own. Officer John Paul Patrick suffered a medical episode while on duty on Oct. 6, which Chief John Cook said ultimately led to his passing on Monday, Oct. 21. On Tuesday, Oct. 22, Patrick was posthumously promoted to the rank of detective. He is survived by a wife, two young children, a host of caring family members and colleagues. Officer Patrick joined the SPD in May 2007 after graduating from the Cape May County Police Academy. After spending the early part of his career as a patrol officer, Patrick was assigned as…

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by Cecilia Levine
Politics
NJ Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG NJ Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG
NJ Campaign Manager Gets Probation For Filing Phony Petitions In Gov Primary: AG A 62-year-old Hunterdon County campaign manager was sentenced to two years of probation on Friday, Oct. 18 after pleading guilty to attempting to fraudulently place a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot in the New Jersey governor’s race in 2021, authorities said. James Devine, a Lambertville resident, submitted 1,948 fraudulent nominating petitions to the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Elections, in an attempt to enable his candidate, Lisa McCormick, to compete in the primary, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Devine pleaded guilty in August. “Rather than…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: NJSP Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: NJSP
Phone Scammer Stole $13K From Elderly Woman: Njsp Police are attempting to identify and locate a phone scammer that took $13,000 from an elderly woman in Hunterdon County last month, authorities said. On Thursday, July 25, an elderly woman received a pop-up alert on her computer, falsely warning her of a virus and instructing her to contact Microsoft, the New Jersey State Police said.  The victim was told to contact the TD Bank Fraud Office at a phone number later determined to be fraudulent, police said. The individual posing as a bank representative convinced the victim that she needed to withdraw $13,000 from her account to protect…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
Brooklyn Man Used Fraudulent ID To Open Bank Account: Denville PD Brooklyn Man Used Fraudulent ID To Open Bank Account: Denville PD
Brooklyn Man Used Fraudulent ID To Open Bank Account: Denville PD A 52-year-old Brooklyn man was arrested and charged on Friday, Aug. 2, after he used a fraudulent ID to open a bank account in Denville back in January, authorities said. On Tuesday, Jan. 30, officers responded to report of an identity theft incident at TD Bank at 298 East Main St, Denville police said. An investigation determined Luis Godoy opened a bank account using a fraudulent ID and bank card in order to obtain funds from a person's account,  police said. Godoy has been linked to numerous identity theft investigations throughout New Jersey, police said. Officers said they were ab…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
18-Year-Old Stole Thousands From Cadillac Dealership: Mt Olive PD 18-Year-Old Stole Thousands From Cadillac Dealership: Mt Olive PD
18-Year-Old Stole Thousands From Cadillac Dealership: Mt Olive PD An 18-year-old Hackettstown woman stole thousands from the Cadillac dealership she worked at in Mt. Olive, authorities said. In May, officers responded to Johnson Dodge on Route 46 on a report of fraud, Mt. Olive police said in a release.. The owner of the dealership said Leigha Conklin-Arnott had endorsed and cashed a check to herself in the amount of $165.00, while she worked at Johnson Cadillac, police said. A further investigation determined a total of 16 checks were cashed between May and June, totaling $3,639.95. Conklin-Arnott was given an opportunity to make restitution but failed t…

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by Sam Barron
News
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say
Philly Area Gravestone Salesman Scammed Mourners Out Of $1.5 Million, Feds Say The owner of a headstone company is accused of ripping off hundreds of grieving customers across greater Philadelphia, federal prosecutors allege in an indictment.  Gregory J. Stefan Jr., 54, of Upper Merion, is charged with seven counts of wire fraud, according to the US Attorney's Office.  Between January 2018 and September of last year, Stefan accepted more than $1.5 million from customers who ordered memorials for loved ones, then failed to deliver the headstones they bought, authorities said. Stefan accepted the orders from nearly 500 customers through his companies 1843 LLC…

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by Mac Bullock
News
PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says
PA Gravestone Thief's Brother Bilked NJ Widow Out Of $5,000, Indictment Says Another New Jersey widow has come forward alleging she was bilked out of money for a gravestone she never got. Jerry J. Stefan, 49, of Gladwyne, PA, has been indicted alleging he bilked a Deptford, NJ widow out of $5,054 for a gravestone she never received for her late husband. He's the brother of a Pennsylvania gravestone dealer already charged in three states with defrauding gravestone customers. A Gloucester County grand jury indicted Jerry J. Stefan on June 26 on a charge he never provided a gravestone or returned the money he took. He was indicted on a third-degree charge of failure t…

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by Jon Craig
News
Sussex County Man Raked In Millions In Bogus PPP Loans, Feds Say Sussex County Man Raked In Millions In Bogus PPP Loans, Feds Say
Sussex County Man Raked In Millions In Bogus PPP Loans, Feds Say A 44-year-old Sparta man was indicted on fraudulently obtaining millions of dollars in Paycheck Protection Program funds during the COVID-19 pandemic, authorities said. From April 2020 through November 2022, Nikenson Jean Mathurin participated in a scheme to defraud the Small Business Administration to obtain COVD-19 emergency relief money by submitting several fraudulent PPP applications on behalf of fake businesses, U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said. Mathurin’s fraudulent applications included false information concerning monthly payroll, gross revenue, and number of employees, and fake…

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by Sam Barron
News
Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes
Poor Conditions, Fraud: State Seizes Control Of 2 NJ Nursing Homes A pair of South Jersey nursing homes, riddled with poor conditions and alleged Medicaid fraud, have been turned over to the control of an independent receiver, authorities said. The state Comptroller previously suspended the owners of Deptford Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare and Hammonton Center for Rehabilitation and Healthcare from New Jersey Medicaid. A Superior Court judge ordered the appointment of Allen Wilen of the Eisner Advisory Group, LLC to run the nursing homes effective June 17, according to the New Jersey Comptroller's Office. The judge's appointment means that the r…

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by Jon Craig
Police & Fire
Man Drove With Fake License Plate: Long Hill Township PD Man Drove With Fake License Plate: Long Hill Township PD
Man Drove With Fake License Plate: Long Hill Township PD A 53-year-old Landing man was arrested after he provided fake documents to police in Gillette on Tuesday, June 11, authorities said. At 8:44 p.m., police observed and stopped a motorist on Morristown Road for driving with a fictitious license plate, Long Hill Township police said. The driver, Jose Ramirez, was subsequently arrested, police said. Ramirez was charged with using fraudulent government documents, possession of fake government documents, hindering prosecution, driving with fictitious license plates, being an unlicensed driver, driving an  unregistered vehicle, and havin…

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by Sam Barron
Police & Fire
NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers
NY Judge Sees No Remorse, Sentences Bergen 'Bling Bishop' To 9 Years For Swindling Followers 𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A convicted con man from Bergen County known as the "Bling Bishop" used the opportunity he was given to speak before being sent to federal prison for nine years to annoy the judge on Monday. Lamor Whitehead of Paramus must serve a mandatory 7½ years following his conviction by a jury in lower Manhattan in March for swindling the life savings from a parishioners mother, among other crimes. One by one, some of those who were financially destroyed spoke to Manhattan Federal Court Judge Lorna Schofield during the June 17 sentencing hearing. Then it was Whitehead's turn. Bishop …

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
UPDATE: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years UPDATE: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years
Update: NJ Man, 72, Admits Posing As Dead Guy To Collect Social Security, Medicaid For 14 Years A 72-year-old South Jersey resident admitted that he assumed a dead man's identity to collect more than $200,000 in Social Security payments and Medicaid benefits for 14 years. Dennis Gaudette of Franklinville was 57 years old when U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger said he began the long-running con in March 2009. It continued until he was caught last year, the U.S. attorney said. Gaudette collected $43,464 in Social Security Retirement Income Benefits and $85,332.50 in Supplemental Security that he wasn't entitled to, Sellinger said. During the same time period, the state of Ne…

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by Jerry DeMarco
Police & Fire
'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…

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by Jerry DeMarco