Tyler N. Thomas, 27, “created a fictitious LLC and opened a bank account to deposit the check for his own benefit,” Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
He then “withdrew funds and made several purchases prior to the detection of the fraud,” Musella said.
Thomas (also known as Tyler D. Rodriguez) surrendered himself on Oct. 10 amid a joint investigation by members of Musella’s Financial Crime Unit and Teaneck police, the prosecutor said.
He was charged with theft, theft by deception, and money laundering and sent to the Bergen County Jail.
A judge in Hackensack the very next day released Thomas pending trial.
Click here to follow Daily Voice Paterson and receive free news updates.