Public Affairs Office, District of New Jersey,
Wednesday, May 14, 2008
Public Affairs Office: 973-645-2888
Last updated Wednesday, May 14, 2008, 5:00 p.m.
05-14-08 -- NEWARK -- An Essex County man was sentenced today to six years in federal prison for filing fraudulent tax returns on behalf of numerous New Jersey residents resulting in a loss to the government in excess of $2.5 million. AUSAs Erez Liebermann and Mark Coyne, 973-645-2874 and 973-297-2002, respectively.
05-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A Jersey City man who was convicted after a jury trial of possessing an unregistered short-barreled shotgun was sentenced today to 10 years in federal prison. AUSA Joseph Mack, 973-645-2824.
05-13-08 -- NEWARK -- A Florida man was sentenced today to nine years in federal prison for his role in a scheme to defraud dozens of investors of a private company of more than $5 million. AUSA Robert Kirsch, 973-645-2846.
05-12-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office today dismissed remaining fraud charges against former Newark Mayor Sharpe James, who last month was convicted on all counts against him in a corrupt scheme to steer city-owned land to his mistress. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
05-12-08 -- NEWARK -- A Tucson, Ariz. cocaine supplier was sentenced to 26 years in federal prison today on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute five kilograms or more of cocaine. AUSA Sharon Ashe, 973-645-2743.
Hetherington News Release (.pdf)
05-09-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Clementon tax preparer pleaded guilty today to aiding and assisting others in filing approximately 408 false income tax returns. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.
05-09-08 -- TRENTON -- Passaic Mayor Samuel "Sammy" Rivera pleaded guilty today to attempted extortion, admitting that he accepted a bribe from a government cooperating witness who was representing an undercover insurance brokerage company in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the undercover company. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
05-08-08 -- NEWARK -- One of the Gambino Crime Family's highest-ranking members in New Jersey, and 22 other made members and associates, including a made member of the Lucchese Crime Family, were named in a racketeering Indictment - 10 were arrested this morning - charging them with running an enterprise that engaged in illegal gambling, extortion, fraud schemes and labor racketeering. Contact Sean Quinn, Special Agent, FBI, 973-792-3020 and Michael Drewniak, U.S. Attorney's Office, 973-645-2888.
Merola et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Merola et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
05-07-08 -- CAMDEN --The owner/operator of a Williamstown tax preparation business was indicted today for allegedly 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 Joshua W. Drew, 856-757-5104 and 856-968-4925, respectively
05-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- The leader of a Camden street corner drug set pleaded guilty today to his involvement in a drug conspiracy that peddled powder and crack cocaine and to protecting his drug set operations through the use of threats and violence, including the murder of one of his suppliers during a disagreement over the quality of crack cocaine. AUSAs Jason Richardson and Sandra Moser, 856-968-4869 and 973-2729, respectively.
Hernandez et. al. News Release (.pdf)
05-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A former associate vice president at Stevens Institute of Technology pleaded guilty today to embezzling approximately $264,000 from the U.S. Department of Education's Upward Bound program and other programs designed to assist disadvantaged inner-city New Jersey youth by preparing them for college admission. AUSAs Bradley A. Harsch and Robert A. Kirsch, 973-645-2734 and 2846, respectively.
Williams et. al.News Release (.pdf)
Williams et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
05-07-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has entered into settlements totaling approximately $387,000 with four cardiologists to recover salaries imporperly received from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
Cardiologists Settlement Release (.pdf)
05-06-08 -- NEWARK -- The alleged ringleader in a $20 million home equity line of credit fraud scheme was arrested last evening as he was taking swings at the Alley Pond Golf Center in Queens, NY. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.
The defendant, Jacob Kim, is scheduled to make an initial appearance in federal court in Newark at 2:30 today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Michael A. Shipp.
Kim et. al. News Release (.pdf)
05-05-08 -- NEWARK -- A former business agent of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to taking a bribe from a contractor in exchange for permitting the contractor to use non-union labor. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
05-02-08 -- TRENTON -- A Vineland heroin supplier who provided extensive assistance to federal investigators was sentenced to 108 months in federal prison today on a charge of conspiracy to distribute and to possess with intent to distribute one kilogram or more of heroin. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-968-4927.
Viera et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-30-08 -- NEWARK -- The former director of housing rehabilitation for the City of New Brunswick pleaded guilty today to extortion and tax evasion for accepting bribe payments and free home renovations from contractors in exchange for contracts. AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2853 and 2764, respectively.
04-29-08 -- CAMDEN -- The owner/operator of an Atlantic City tax preparation business and an employee were indicted today for allegedly defrauding the IRS through the preparation of false individual income tax returns for their clients. DOJ Tax Division Trial Attorneys, Shawn Noud and Mark Daly, 202-353-9215.
Cortez et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-29-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted Guttenberg mayor David Delle Donna and his wife, a former Planning Board member, of conspiracy to commit extortion under color of official right and income tax fraud. Contact Michael Drewniak, 973-645-2888.
Delle Donna News Release (.pdf)
04-28-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Hamilton Township man admitted today to committing several southern New Jersey Bank robberies. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
04-25-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Robbinsville woman was sentenced to 75 months in federal prison today for operating a scheme to obtain Pennsylvania drivers licenses for illegal aliens, who paid between $2,500 and $4,000 for the credentials. AUSAs Kathleen O'Leary and Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2841 and 2752, respectively.
04-25-08 -- CAMDEN -- A National Park Borough man was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison today for his conviction for attempting to purchase and redistribute cocaine. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
04-24-08 -- TRENTON -- The owner of a Newark construction business pleaded guilty today to paying bribes to a former Linden housing official in return for contracts valued at approximately $1.57 million. AUSAs Adam S. Lurie and Richard E. Constable III, 973-645-2700.
04-23-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former Pennsauken Police Officer was sentenced to 170 months in federal prison today for his guilty plea to charges of transportation and shipment of child pornography over the Internet. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.
Schenberger, Jr. News Release (.pdf)
04-22-08 -- TRENTON -- A Trenton cocaine dealer was sentenced today to 188 months in federal prison for distribution and possession with intent to distribute more than 500 grams of cocaine and for being a previously convicted felon in possession of a firearm. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.
04-22-08 -- NEWARK -- In its continuing prosecution of fraudulent contracts at the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey, the U.S. Attorney's Office filed a lawsuit today against a private-practice cardiologist to recover $210,000 in damages for taking salary from the University while improperly referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
04-17-08 -- NEWARK -- The U.S. Attorney's Office has filed a lawsuit against a private-practice cardiologist to recover $357,000 in damages for taking salary from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey while improperly referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
04-16-08-- NEWARK -- A jury today convicted former Newark mayor Sharpe James on all corruption charges against him in connection with a scheme that enabled his girlfriend, Tamika Riley, to fraudulently obtain steeply discounted city-owned land and resell it for hundreds of thousands of dollars in profits. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
04-15-08 -- TRENTON -- The second of a pair of bank robbers who robbed or attempted to rob three banks in Union and Hunterdon counties in April and July 2007 pleaded guilty today before U.S. District Judge Joel A. Pisano. AUSA Joseph Mack, 973-645-2824.
04-14-08 -- CAMDEN -- Four Camden men pleaded guilty today to conspiring to illegally possess four loaded firearms in Camden. AUSAs Deborah Prisinzano-Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152 and Allen Harberg, Jr., 856-757-5231
Jones et al. News Release (.pdf)
04-11-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Philadelphia man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for robbing thirteen pharmacies in New Jersey and Philadelphia of controlled substances such as Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Endocet and Xanax. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
Johnson et. al. News Release (.pdf)
04-09-08 -- TRENTON -- A Ewing attorney pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information charging possession of child pornography. AUSA James T. Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
04-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Atlantic City businessman pleaded guilty today for illegally transporting U. S. currency that he believed to be drug proceeds to the Dominican Republic. AUSA Howard Wiener, 856-968-4926.
04-07-08 -- NEWARK -- The former chief financial officer of defunct cheese manufacturer Suprema Specialties, Inc. was sentenced today to eight years in prison for his conviction on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud and making false statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUSAs John M. Fietkiewicz and Eric H. Jaso, 973-645-2780 and 2871, respectively.
Suprema Specialties, Inc. News Release (.pdf)
04-04-08-- CAMDEN -- A Vineland man was sentenced to 270 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges for cocaine and heroin distribution. AUSAs Ronald Chillemi and Deborah Prisinzano-Mikkelsen, 856-757-5232 and 5152, respectively.
Carrion-Soto News Release (.pdf)
04-03-08-- NEWARK -- A third Continental Airlines employee based at Newark Liberty International Airport was charged today in connection with an International conspiracy to distribute heroin. AUSA Dennis C. Carletta, 973-645-2767.
Cruz Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
04-03-08 -- NEWARK -- A former New Brunswick official serving a federal prison sentence for accepting more than $30,000 in bribes was charged today with attempting to hire a hit man to murder his wife. AUSAs Brian R. Howe and Hallie Mitchell, 973-645-2853 and 3989, respectively.
Kaplan Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
04-02-08 -- TRENTON -- A Holmdel man pleaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion for not reporting a total of approximately $740,585 in income for tax years 2003, 2004 and 2005. AUSA Eugenia A. P. Cowles, 609-989-2354.
Abdelrazek News Release (.pdf)
04-01-08 -- TRENTON -- A Dover Township man pleaded guilty today to one count of tax evasion for not reporting approximately $481,402 in income for tax year 2002. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.
03-31-08 -- CAMDEN -- Agron Abdullahu was sentenced to 20 months in federal prison today for conspiring to provide firearms and ammunition to illegal aliens who allegedly plotted to kill U.S. soldiers at various installations, including the Fort Dix Army base in New Jersey. Contact J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.
Abdullahu et. al. News Release (.pdf)
03-27-08 -- NEWARK -- The former chief executive officer of defunct cheese manufacturer Suprema Specialties, Inc. was sentenced to 180 months in prison today for his conviction on charges of conspiracy, bank fraud, mail fraud, wire fraud, and making false statements to the Securities and Exchange Commission. AUSAs John M. Fietkiewicz and Eric H. Jaso, 973-645-2780 and 2871, respectively.
Suprema Specialties et. al. News Release (.pdf)
03-27-08 -- Advisory: Victims' Rights to be heard at sentencings of Suprema Defendants Mark Cocchiola and Steven Venechanos.
03-26-08 -- NEWARK -- A former business agent of Local 825 of the International Union of Operating Engineers pleaded guilty today to taking bribes from a variety of contractors in exchange permitting the contractors to avoid employing and paying the union's members. The defendant also implicated other Local 825 officers who were indicted earlier this month. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
Wask Superseding Information (.pdf)
03-26-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Atlantic County woman was sentenced today to 24 months in federal prison for filing 30 fraudulent claims for federal tax refunds - 28 of them in the names of dead New Jersey residents. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO and Al Drucker, IRS CID Public Affairs, (973) 645-2888 and (973) 921-4228, respectively.
Release also contains some highlight cases of recent criminal tax-case prosecutions as tax-filing deadline nears
03-25-08 -- NEWARK -- An Indictment was returned today against a former employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority, charging him with conspiracy and money laundering for a series of transactions involving what he believed were the proceeds of loansharking. AUSA Mark McCarren, 973-645-2867.
03-24-08 -- NEWARK -- Two Continental Airlines employees were charged today in connection with a conspiracy to distribute heroin aboard inbound international flights to Newark Liberty International Airport. AUSA Dennis Carletta, 973-645-2767.
Moreno et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Moreno et al. Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
03-20-08 -- NEWARK -- A medical doctor with a practice in Elizabeth pleaded guilty today to engaging in a scheme to defraud insurance companies that provide no-fault medical benefits to motorists and implicated others who were indicted last month. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
Zelikson et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Zelikson et. al. Information (.pdf)
3-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Oxon Hill, Md., man pleaded guilty today for his role in a wire fraud and money laundering scheme that involved misdirecting approximately $2 million in wire transfers from Cendant Mortgage Corporation to a Florida title agency. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232.
Umali et. al. News Release (.pdf)
3-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Denver, Colorado securities attorney was sentenced to 84 months in federal prison today for his role in two intricate stock fraud and money laundering schemes, one of which cost public investors more than $15 million in losses. AUSA Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152.
3-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Cherry Hill man was sentenced to 66 months in federal prison today on one count of interstate travel in aid of racketeering for traveling to Philadelphia to threaten a man who he believed owed an illegal sports gambling debt. AUSA Steven D'Aguanno, 856-757-5011.
3-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- Two Delaware Valley men were convicted by a federal jury today for committing a string of nine bank robberies that were committed at gunpoint. AUSAs Jacqueline Carle and James P. Lynch, 856-968-4867 and 856-757-5031.
Gantt et. al. News Release (.pdf)
3-19-08 -- TRENTON -- A North Bergen man pleaded guilty today to defrauding the United States Small Business Administration and defaulting on a $250,000 Small Business Administration loan. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
3-19-08 -- NEWARK -- A Pennsylvania man formerly of New Jersey was arraigned today in connection with a conspiracy to steal United States treasury checks sent via the U.S. Postal Service and intercepted by baggage handlers at Newark Liberty International Airport. AUSA Erez Liebermann, 973-645-2874.
Alcantara Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
03-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A Bayonne man was indicted today in a 54-count Indictment that charges him with illegally depositing more than $3 million in cash at three banks to avoid detection by authorities. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
Pellegrini News Release (.pdf)
03-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A former New Jersey business owner was sentenced today to 46 months in federal prison for failing to report to the IRS more than $1.9 million in income he received as part of a multimillion dollar fraud scheme. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.
03-11-08 -- NEWARK -- International Union of Operating Engineers were arrested today on a four-count Indictment for allegedly taking cash bribes and other things of value from construction contractors to ensure labor peace and to allow the use of non-union labor. AUSA Anthony Moscato, Jr., 973-645-2752.
Campbell et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Campbell et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
03-10-08 -- NEWARK -- The tax preparer on a series of real-estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today for aiding and assisting in the preparation of a false and fraudulent partnership tax return. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
03-10-08- -- TRENTON -- A high-ranking member or "4-star general" of a Trenton Bloods street gang known as "Gangster Killer Bloods" or "GKB" pleaded guilty today to a federal crack cocaine distribution charge. AUSA Jimmy Kitchen, 609-989-2258.
Cross et. al. News Release (.pdf)
03-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- The leader and an enforcer of a major cocaine distribution organization were convicted by a federal jury today for their participation in a drug distribution conspiracy and for committing a murder to protect their operations. Contact Greg Reinert, PIO 856-757-5233.
Lewis et. al. News Release (.pdf)
03-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A Newark man was federally indicted today in connection with a series of "smash-and-grab" jewelry store robberies committed at four shopping malls in New Jersey and Pennsylvania. AUSA Scott McBride, 973-645-2708.
03-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Member of a cocaine trafficking conspiracy that was responsible for the distribution of large quantities of cocaine in the Cumberland County area was sentenced to 96 months in federal prison today to his role in the conspiracy. AUSA Diana V. Carrig, 856-757-5233.
Trujillo et. al. News Release (.pdf)
03-06-08 -- NEWARK -- A Former Social Security Administration employee was indicted today on charges that he used his position to defraud approximately 26 aliens of approximately $103,350 by enticing them with false promises of student visas to study massage therapy. AUSA Bradely A. Harsch, 973-645-2700.
03-06-08 -- TRENTON -- A Burlington tax preparer pleaded guilty today to fraudulent preparation of clients' income tax returns. AUSA Eugenia A.P. Cowles, 609-989-2354.
03-05-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Clementon man was indicted yesterday on murder, drug distribution and firearm charges in connection with the murder of a 14-year-old boy in Lindenwold. Contact Greg Reinert, PIO 856-757-5233.
03-04-08 -- NEWARK -- A Bloomfield physician was sentenced to 132 months in federal prison today for conspiring to distribute thousands of OxyContin and Percocet pills. AUSAs Jonathan W. Romankow and R. Joseph Gribko, 973-645-2884 and 2765, respectively.
Jaszczult et. al News Release (pdf)
03-04-08 -- TRENTON -- A former Newark Municipal Court clerk was sentenced to 31 months in federal prison today for accepting cash bribes from an undercover agent in exchange for using his official position to sanitize a criminal record to help someone attempting to pass a U.S Department of Homeland Security background check. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.
03-03-08 -- CAMDEN -- A former securities broker with offices in Cherry Hill, marlton and Ocean City was sentenced to 42 months in federal prison today for his role in an intricate stock fraud and money laundering scheme, a separate extortion scheme, and bankruptcy fraud. AUSA Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152.
Kirchhoff et. al. News Release (.pdf)
02-29-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Consultant/lobbyist was sentenced to 27 months in federal prison today on mail fraud and tax evasion charges in connection with inflated and fraudulent billings his company submitted to the Burlington County Bridge Commission. Contact J. Gregory Reinert, PAO 856-757-5233.
02-28-08 -- NEWARK -- Two private-practice cardiologists pleaded guilty today to embezzlement, admitting that between them they took approximately $840,000 in salary from the University of Medicine and Dentistry of New Jersey while providing no meaningful services in return to the university, other than referring cardiac patients. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888
Desa et. al. News Release (.pdf)
02-28-08 -- NEWARK -- A 22-year-old Wisconsin man pleaded guilty today to conveying a terrorism hoax for his repeated posting of an Internet message claiming that terrorists would detonate radioactive "dirty bombs" at football stadiums in seven states, including New Jersey. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
02-27-08 -- CAMDEN -- Former Pleasantville Board of Education member James T. McCormick was convicted by a federal jury today for accepting a $3,500 bribe from an insurance brokerage in return for his official assistance in steering public contracts to the company. AUSAs Christopher J. Gramiccioni and Jenny R. Kramer, 973-297-2067 and 973-645-2793, respectively.
02-26-08 -- NEWARK -- Two bank robbers were each sentenced today to more than 65 years in federal prison for committing three armed and violent bank robberies in 2005. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
Prosper et. al. News Release (.pdf)
02-21-08 -- NEWARK -- An Internal Revenue Service revenue agent was sentenced today in federal court to 34 months in prison for a series of fraud-related charges, including bank fraud, financial structuring, tax evasion, and for preparing fraudulent tax returns for himself and a company he was using to shelter income. AUSAs Thomas R. Calcagni and Robert A. Kirsch, 973-645-2918 abd 973-645-2846, respectively.
02-21-08 -- NEWARK -- Four individuals were arrested on Wednesday on charges of health care fraud that included the participation of medical doctors to further the schemes. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.
Sirota et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Sirota et. al. Indictment (.pdf)
02-20-2008 -- NEWARK -- Four New Jersey men, two of whom were arrested, were charged today with conspiring to steal merchandise contained in three different tractor-trailer loads. AUSA Deborah J. Gannett, 973-645-2781.
Baker et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Baker et. al. Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
02-19-08 -- CAMDEN -- An Egg Harbor man pleaded guilty today for his role in a string of southern New Jersey bank burglaries that he committed with his two brothers. AUSA Jason M. Richardson, 856-968-4869.
02-15-2008 -- PHILADELPHIA -- A Philadelphia man was sentenced to a total of 300 months in federal prison today for his conviction on charges in connection with his assault and an attempted sexual assault of his defense attorney. AUSAs Debrorah Prisinzano-Mikkelsen and Norman J. Gross, 856-757-5152 and 856-968-4930, respectively.
02-14-08 -- NEWARK -- The head tax partner of an accounting firm involved in a series of real-estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States by aiding and assisting the filing of false tax returns. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
02-14-08 -- TRENTON -- The former field representative for the City of Linden's Neighborhood Redevelopment Program pleaded guilty today to accepting over $180,000 in corrupt cash payments and other benefits in exchange for official favors. AUSAs Richard E. Constable, III and Adam S. Lurie, 973-645-2700.
Rose et. al. News Release (.pdf)
Anthony Rose Information (.pdf)
Walter Zawacki Information (.pdf)
02-14-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury today indicted former state Senator Joseph Coniglio on nine counts of mail fraud and 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.
02-13-2008 -- TRENTON -- The former Parsippany-Troy Hills Planning Board attorney pleaded guilty today to mail fraud, admitting that he gave his official assistance to a developer in return for benefits to him and his family that included discounted purchase prices on houses that allowed the family members to quickly resell the properties at substantial profit. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
Montefusco News Release (.pdf)
02-11-08 -- NEWARK -- The former accountant for a series of real estate partnerships controlled by Charles Kushner pleaded guilty today to conspiring to defraud the United States and to aid and assist the filing of false tax returns. Contact Michael Drewniak, PAO 973-645-2888.
02-08-08 -- CAMDEN -- A senior vice president of Wachovia Securities Investment Services Group pleaded guilty today to a one-count Information that charges him with bank larcency for taking approximately $193,600 from client accounts. AUSA Ronald Chillemi, 856-757-5232.
02-08-08 -- TRENTON -- A vice president of adult day care centers was sentenced today to 55 months in federal prison for conspiring to defraud Medicaid of approximately $5.5 million by submitting false claims for medical services that were never rendered. AUSAs Maureen Nakly and Camelia M. Valdes, 973-645-2723 and 2730, respectively.
02-08-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Cherry Hill man was sentenced to 48 months in federal prison today for structuring bank transactions to evade reporting requirements and bankruptcy fraud. AUSA Deborah Prisinzano Mikkelsen, 856-757-5152.
Rosenkrantz News Release (.pdf)
02-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Vineland man was arraigned on a federal Indictment today for his scheme to trade cocaine for firearms while he was under indictment by the State of New Jersey. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
Perez et. al. News Release (.pdf)
02-07-08 -- NEWARK -- A Superseding Indictment returned today adds three new tax fraud charges to the corruption Indictment returned in July against the former director of housing rehabilitation for the City of New Brunswick. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.
Walker Superseding Indictment (.pdf)
02-07-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Waterford man was sentenced to 120 months in federal prison today for robbing nine pharmacies in New Jersey and Philadelphia of controlled substances such as Oxycontin, Oxycodone, Endocet and Xanax. AUSA Jason Richardson, 856-968-4869.
02-06-08 -- TRENTON -- A Federal Aviation Administration contractor and former employee of the FAA's William J. Hughes Technical Center in Atlantic County pleaded guilty today to paying more than $23,000 in bribes to a former FAA employee. AUSAs David A. Bocian and Hope Olds, 609-989-2399 and 943-645-2764, respectively.
02-01-08 -- CAMDEN -- A Nigerian national was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for his role in a scheme to distribute fraudulent checks. AUSA Norman J. Gross, 856-757-5233.
01-31-08 -- TRENTON -- A federal grand jury today indicted former City of Passaic Councilman Jonathan Soto on charges of attempted extortion under color of official right and bribery for allegedly accepting $22,000 in exchange for his influence on local government contracts, and for attempting to obtain illegal narcotics. Contact Michael Drewniak, PIO 973-645-2888
01-30-08 -- NEWARK -- U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced today that his office has established a Primary Election Hotline to receive and respond to reports of election irregularites, voter intimidation or any other activities that would interfere with a citizen's right to vote throughout Primary Election Day.
01-29-08 -- TRENTON -- The leader of the "Bounty Hunters" set of the Bloods street gang was sentenced to life in prison today for his convictions on charges for distributing crack cocaine in Trenton. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.
01-28-08 -- NEWARK -- A former housing inspector for the City of Paterson pleaded guilty today to extortion under color of official right for accepting bribes in exchange for exercising official action. AUSA Hope S. Olds, 973-645-2764.
01-28-08 -- NEWARK -- An East Brunswick man admitted today in federal court conspiring to defraud insurance companies of more than $2.5 million through a false billing scheme and to engaging in tax evasion. AUSA Anthony Moscato, 973-645-2752.
01-25-08 -- TRENTON -- Two federal inmates - one of them a nephew of the late New York Yankee Babe Ruth - were convicted by a federal jury today for their scheme to defraud the Internal Revenue Service of approximately $360,000 through the filing of 178 false individual income tax returns which contained fraudulent claims for refunds. Contact: J. Gregory Reinert, PIO, 856-757-5233.
Ruth et. al. News Release (.pdf)
01-25-08 -- NEWARK -- A former employee of the New Jersey Turnpike Authority was arrested today for allegedly engaging in money laundering transactions involving what he believed to be the proceeds of loansharking. AUSA Mark McCarren, 973-645-2867.
Robinson Criminal Complaint (.pdf)
01-24-08 -- CAMDEN -- A 19- year-old Willingboro man was sentenced today to 288 months in federal prison for committing two armed and violent bank robberies, during one of which he discharged a firearm into a car he was attempting to steal. AUSA Matthew Skahill, 856-968-4929.
01-24-08 -- NEWARK -- An owner of a now-defunct driving school in Plainfield was sentenced today to 41 months in federal prison for conspiring for a decade with employees of the New Jersey Division of Motor Vehicles to produce drivers' licenses in exchange for cash payments. AUSA Brian R. Howe, 973-645-2853.
01-24-08 -- NEWARK -- A Maplewood man was sentenced today to 120 months in federal prison for a string of bank robberies throughout northern New Jersey, for which he earned the monikers "Hat Bandit" and "Mad Hatter" from the media. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PIO, 973-645-2888.
01-22-08 -- NEWARK -- A Fort Dix correctional officer was sentenced to 18 months in federal prison today for smuggling tobacco products into the federal prison at Fort Dix. AUSA Thomas R. Calcagni, 973-645-2918.
01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A federal jury today convicted a former vice president and director of a New Jersey information technology consulting company on all counts for his role in a scheme to defraud dozens of private investors in the company of more than $5 million. AUSAs Robert Kirsch and Craig Carpenito, 973-645-2846 and 2891, respectively.
01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- A judge formally unsealed a 35-count Indictment today charging 13 individuals in a scheme to fraudulently obtain more than $20 million in home equity and business lines of credit between February 2004 and November 2005. Seven more people pleaded guilty today in the scheme, whose victims include at least 16 different lenders in northern New Jersey. AUSA Bradley A. Harsch, 973-645-2734.
Amg et. al. News Release (.pdf)
01-18-08 -- NEWARK -- One of four men charged in an attempted armed bank robbery last year, during which an FBI Special Agent was shot and killed, pleaded guilty today to his role in that crime and a second armed robbery. He also identified his co-conspirators in those and other armed bank robberies. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
01-16-08 -- NEWARK -- The brother co-owners of International Trucks of Central Jersey were sentenced today to prison terms for bribing Monmouth County public officials. AUSA Mark McCarren, 973-645-2867.
01-16 08 -- NEWARK -- A federal grand jury today indicted City of Passaic Mayor Samuel Rivera on charges of attempted extortion under color of official right and bribery for allegedly accepting $5,000 in cash in exchange for his influence on local government contracts. Contact: Michael Drewniak, PAO, 973-645-2888.
01-11-08 -- TRENTON -- A leader of the Bloods "Sex Money Murder" street gang in Trenton was sentenced to 204 months in federal prison today for distributing kilogram quantities of cocaine with a total wholesale value in excess of $1 million. AUSA Patrick C. Askin, 609-989-2020.
01-08-08 -- NEWARK – A former computer systems administrator for Medco Health Solutions, Inc. was sentenced today to 30 months in federal prison for planting a “logic bomb” in Medco’s computer systems that was designed, but failed, to wipe out critical data stored on more than 70 servers. AUSAs Erez Liebermann and Marc Ferzan, 973-645-2874, 2783, respectively.
01-07-08 -- TRENTON -- A former Asbury Park police officer and his accomplice were sentenced to 24 months and 12 months in prison, respectively, for their convictions on charges in connection with the theft of diamond jewelry during the execution of a fugitive arrest warrant. AUSA John J. Hoffman, 609-989-0579.