New Jersey Criminal Defense Blog

A 51-year-old Newark woman pleaded guilty to a third-degree charge of receiving stolen property. She admitted to being involved in a conspiracy with a former employee of the City of Newark to steal from the federally funded WIC (Women, Infants and Children) nutrition program through fraudulent vouchers. According to a jacksonnjonline.com article, the state will suggest that the woman be sentenced to a term of probation under her plea agreement. Her sentencing is set for March 3, 2010.

The article also discusses that an ongoing investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau determined that between December 1, 2005, and January 31, 2007, over $1 million was to be issued in fake vouchers by the accused individuals. The investigation started when the New Jersey Department of Health and Senior Services and the Newark Department of Health and Human Services warned the Division of Criminal Justice about suspected voucher thefts from the Newark WIC Program. As a consequence, the former WIC employee was sentenced in 2009 to eight years in state prison for second-degree official misconduct for his part in the scheme.

Continue reading "Newark Woman Arrested for Defrauding WIC Nutrition Program" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , Legal Information , White Collar Crime

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A Fair Haven financial adviser is facing charges for federal wire fraud in New Jersey for allegedly cheating his clients out of more than $7 million according to this report. Prosecutors investigating the case claim that Maxwell Smith promised his investors returns of up to 9 percent on investments in health care facilities. They claim that Smith deposited investors’ funds into his own bank account instead of investing them and used some of the funds to pay interest to his clients.

A New Jersey judge recently froze Smith’s assets after a lawsuit was filed by a Hanover man who claimed he had lost $9 million in the alleged investment scheme. Smith remains free after posting a $1 million bail, but faces up to 20 years in a New Jersey state prison if convicted on the wire fraud charges.

A wire fraud conviction can result in more than a lengthy prison sentence. Those convicted of wire fraud also face steep fines, probation, the loss of professional licenses, the inability to obtain certain types of jobs, and a permanent mark on their record. Frequently, people under investigation for wire fraud and other white collar crimes know that they are under investigation before any charges are formally filed. If you or someone you care for believes they are under investigation or about to be arrested for a white collar crime, it is very important to contact the skilled New Jersey white collar crime lawyers at criminal defense law firm Lependorf & Silverstein as soon as possible.

By being proactive, you enable their New Jersey white collar crime attorneys to launch an immediate investigation into the charges and begin building a vigorous defense against the charges. To schedule a free consultation with experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorneys, call criminal defense law firm Lependorf & Silverstein today at 609-240-0040.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , White Collar Crime

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An Upper Saddle River, New Jersey, man has been sentenced to a year and a day in federal prison for an accounting fraud scandal, which apparently artificially propped up the stock price of insurer American International Group Inc. According to this news report, Christopher Garand, who served as a senior vice president at Gen Re, was also fined $150,000 and will be under two years of supervised release after the term ends for his role in the case. The 61-year-old Garand is one of five former executives convicted on fraud and conspiracy charges in February 2008.

Being charged with fraud in New Jersey can be a complicated criminal offense. Criminal fraud charges can be brought either against individuals or a business. The penalties for fraud, as seen in this particular case, can range from heavy fines and probation to lengthy prison terms. The stigma attached to a fraud charge or a white collar crime can destroy a business' or an individual's reputation.

If you find out that you are being investigated for fraud, it is very important that you call a reputed and experienced New Jersey criminal defense attorney as soon as possible. The aggressive and skilled attorneys at Lependorf & Silverstein take a proactive approach to fraud cases and can sometimes get your case dismissed even before you are indicted. Our goal is to save your most valuable business asset – your reputation – before it gets tarnished and dragged through the court system. If you have been accused of a white collar crime in New Jersey, please contact Lependorf & Silverstein for a free consultation.

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , White Collar Crime

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Three people have been charged with fraudulently collecting more than $44,000 in unemployment benefits, according to an announcement from New Jersey State Attorney General Anne Milgram. According to this news report, Luis Urbana, 30, of Lodi, Derrick R. Eaton, 42, of Paterson and Jessica Bonano, 42, were arrested and charged with deception, theft and falsification.

The indictments apparently came after labor investigators cross-matched employer wage information against unemployment benefit payments, reviewed payroll records and followed up on alerts from citizens. Third- and fourth-degree theft crimes, which all three individuals were charged with, carry a sentence of five years in state prison. These fraud crimes in New Jersey also come with a fine of up to $15,000, while fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to 18 months in state prison and a fine of up to $10,000.

Continue reading "New Jersey Fraud Accusation Against Residents" »

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Posted In: Criminal Defense , Fraud , Legal Information

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