Essex County man charged with identity fraud, laundering money

NEWARK, NJ — An Essex County man was charged Nov. 21 for his role in a multimillion-dollar money laundering conspiracy and for using a stolen identity in furtherance of the scheme, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Edwin Deleon-Batista, 36, of Newark, is charged by complaint with one count of conspiracy to launder drug proceeds and […]

Irvington man sentenced to prison for fraudulent check scheme

IRVINGTON, NJ — An Irvington man has been sentenced to 37 months in prison for his role in a phony check scheme that stole more than $2 million in merchandise from multiple home improvement stores throughout the country, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced Oct. 10. Reginald Phillips, 56, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge […]

Bloomfield man convicted in check fraud scheme

Bloomfield man convicted in check fraud scheme

BLOOMFIELD, NJ — On Oct. 2, an Essex County jury has convicted Woody Armand, 44, of Bloomfield, of unlawful possession of a handgun, trafficking in personal information, forgery, and unlawful possession of heroin and oxycodone, following a trial before Superior Court Judge Verna Leath, according to a press release from acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore […]

Newark man admits role in $3.49 million food stamps scheme

NEWARK, NJ — On Sept. 23, a Newark man admitted his role in exchanging $3.49 million in Supplemental Nutrition Assistance Program benefits for cash, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Juan Perdomo, 60, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Esther Salas in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of SNAP fraud, […]

PSE&G phone number spoofed by scammers

PSE&G phone number spoofed by scammers

ESSEX COUNTY, NJ — PSE&G is warning New Jersey residents that scammers have spoofed one of its phone numbers in attempts to obtain personal information. PSE&G recently received an escalating number of phone calls from people claiming to be returning missed calls that appear to have been made from a PSE&G phone number. “If you […]

Woman gets three years for stealing more than $500K from mother-in-law

NEWARK, NJ — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens II announced Jan. 7 that Patricia Layton Piccinno, 50, of Boonton, was sentenced to three years in New Jersey State Prison for stealing more than $500,000 from her 80-year-old mother-in-law and her husband, a Bloomfield Police detective. The state had recommended four years in New […]

NJ men charged with bank fraud conspiracy, aggravated identity theft

NEWARK, NJ — Two North Jersey men were charged Dec. 11 for their respective roles in an alleged conspiracy that used stolen credit cards removed from the mail by U.S. Postal Service employees to defraud banks that issued the cards, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Olagoke Araromi, 22, of Union, and Elhadj Fofana, of Orange, […]

West Orange consultant sentenced for 4 years in prison for fraud

NEWARK, NJ — A political consultant from West Orange was sentenced Sept. 18 to four years in prison for her role in a fraud scheme related to contracts with the Newark Watershed Development Corp. and kickbacks to officials there, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced. Dianthe Martinez-Brooks, 48, of West Orange, previously pleaded guilty before U.S. […]