Schade, 63, of Lumberton was a facilities supervisor when he siphoned $2.1 million from NJ Transit by setting up four fake companies and approving payments to them for services such as landscaping and maintenance at NJ Transit properties.

Schade entered a guilty plea on Sept. 6, 2019 to one count of second-degree conspiracy to commit theft by deception.

Assistant Prosecutor Caroline Oliveira said, “This defendant was a trusted employee of NJ Transit, authorized to sign off on expenses. He abused that trust by engaging in a fraud that resulted in millions of dollars being diverted to undeserving companies and ultimately, to him and the others who were part of this criminal scheme.’’

The scheme was uncovered in Oct. 2015 when an internal audit revealed the unexplained payments. The matter was referred to the NJ Transit Fraud Investigation Unit and ultimately to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. Schade had authority to approve payments of up to $5,000 at a time from New Jersey Transit to subcontractors for facility maintenance. Over the course of several years, he repeatedly signed off on payments to companies owned by his codefendants, including a subordinate New Jersey Transit employee, and his own nephew, who in turn paid Schade cash kickbacks.

In addition to five years in state prison, Schade is required to pay restitution in the amount of $200,000 to NJ Transit and is forever disqualified from holding public employment in New Jersey.

The others charged in the criminal scheme include:

Leonard Singleton, 39, of Newfield, a former NJ Transit mechanic, along with his wife, Shonta Singleton, 39, his mother, Calamity Singleton, 62, of Newfield, and Adam Horning, 35, of Marlton. Calamity Singleton was admitted to Pretrial Intervention, a diversionary program. Shonta Singleton pleaded guilty to corporate misconduct and received probation; Leonard Singleton also pleaded guilty to corporate misconduct and is scheduled to be sentenced to three years in State Prison on Sept.16. No sentencing date has been scheduled for Horning.

A Former Employee of Rutgers Medical School Sentenced to Five Years

Newark — Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today that Sondra Bell, 55, of Newark was sentenced to five years in New Jersey State Prison for stealing more than $87,000 from Rutgers New Jersey Medical School, where she was employed for 24 years as an administrative assistant.

Assistant Prosecutor Walter Dirkin, who handled the case, said the theft started in January of 2017 and continued until April of 2018 when the Ethics and Compliance Department at Rutgers University notified the audit group regarding an $87,145 discrepancy. During the investigation, it was determined that Bell had been generating vouchers for her own personal use.

Bell was sentenced by the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court.
Bell maintained she used the stolen funds for personal use including paying her son’s college tuition.

The theft began in January of 2017. In April of 2018 it came to light when Bell was asked to purchase airline tickets for her boss to attend a medical conference. At that point she advised the doctor there was not enough money in the account to pay for the airline ticket, admitted stealing the money and asked him to “cover” the $87,000. He declined, and authorities were alerted.

On Jan. 18, 2019, the defendant entered a guilty plea to second degree theft by deception.

“The defendant was a trusted employee and she was respected in the community. Unfortunately, in her greed, she sold reputation ultimately her freedom; and in the process, she harmed a program which served the most vulnerable in our society,” said Assistant Prosecutor Dirkin.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II, announced today 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 Jersey State Prison but the Honorable Judge James W. Donohue, Judge of the Superior Court, instead imposed a three-year sentence.

The Judge also ordered Piccinno to pay restitution to both her husband and mother-in-law. For her mother-in-law, she was ordered to pay back $208,503 and to her husband, she was ordered to pay back $127,315, although the values of the thefts were greater.

The defendant was also required to forfeit the vehicle seized in this case, a 2012 Jeep Liberty.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller, who handled the case, from September 2013 to January 2018, Piccinno stole hundreds of thousands of dollars from her husband of nearly 20 years and her widowed mother-in-law. She stole, hid and stopped mail so her husband would not discover her crimes. She also stole and diverted monies without his knowledge or consent.

She opened a post office box in her mother-in-law’s name and had mail go to her residence instead. Piccinno opened and racked up credit cards in both victim’s names. She stole large amounts of jewelry from both victims, some of which was recovered at pawn shops.

She withdrew all of her mother-in-law’s monies in her savings and checking accounts, as well as from her insurance and investment accounts, forged checks and stole pension and Social Security checks, Assistant Prosecutor Teller said.

She created fake emails to cover her stories, created fake stationary from a certified public accountant to pretend that the CPA did work for her mother-in-law when in fact he never did. She doctored and altered bank statements, so they would reflect a higher balance, added Assistant Prosecutor Teller. She also altered her mother-in-law’s 1099 tax return.

Piccinno was indicted and charged with multiple counts, including first-degree money laundering, second degree theft, impersonation, forgery and falsifying and tampering with records.

On Oct. 28, 2018, Piccinno pleaded guilty to 10 out of 12 counts of the indictment.
She pleaded guilty to identity theft from her mother-in-law, multiple counts of impersonation of her mother-in-law and her husband, forgery, theft by deception, credit card theft and tampering with records.

“This is a tragic case because of all the damage the defendant caused. Not only did she injure her relatives financially, but she inflicted emotional injury on them,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Teller.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted George Gaymon, 30, of Irvington of 20 counts in connection with a two-day carjacking and robbery spree during which he victimized numerous individuals in Essex County.

“This defendant systematically stalked innocent and defenseless individuals to rob and carjack them,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor William Neafsey, who tried the case with Assistant Prosecutor Joseph Perez.

“Greed was defendant’s motivation and fear was his weapon. The verdict in this case is the result of the courage of the victims coupled with the exhaustive investigative efforts of the Newark and Irvington Police Departments,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Perez.

In the trial before the Honorable Martin G. Cronin, Judge of the Superior, the evidence showed that Gaymon and co-defendant, Mario McClain, 34, of Orange stole a Jeep Cherokee in Orange and a Dodge Intrepid in Newark and then went to the Power Gas Station on 18th Avenue and robbed an attendant at 7:00 am on March 24.

Later that morning, they went to Speedwell Avenue in Newark, bumped a white Infiniti with the stolen Intrepid. When the male driver, a veteran on his way to work, got out to inspect the damage, Gaymon pulled a gun on him and carjacked him.

On March 27, they used the white Infiniti to bump a woman driving a grey Mercedes Benz SVU in Irvington. They carjacked that vehicle, taking her pocketbook with credit cards that they promptly begin to use at a sneaker store and a deli where they were caught on video. The two were eventually caught and prosecuted.

The crime spree took place on March 24 and March 27, 2014. In January of 2016, McClain entered a guilty plea. He is to be sentenced to 15 years in state prison.

As jury selection began Gaymon declared himself a “sovereign citizen’’ and refused to adhere to Judge Cronin’s instructions. Eventually, the judge had him removed from the courtroom and the trial was held in his absence.

On Friday, Jan. 26, the jury convicted him of first degree armed robbery, carjacking, conspiracy to commit carjacking, conspiracy to commit robbery, theft, multiple counts of credit card fraud, multiple counts of illegal possession of weapons, including both a handgun and knife.

Sentencing is scheduled for March 12. Because of his prior record, the prosecution will be seeking an extended prison sentence. Gaymon has five prior felony convictions.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino commended the Irvington and Newark Police Departments for their assistance in this case.

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Karif Hyder, 36, of Newark was sentenced to six years in New Jersey State Prison yesterday by the Honorable Mark Ali, Judge of the Superior Court, for his role in a $700,000 counterfeit check cashing scheme that compromised numerous government agencies.

Hyder created fraudulent checks and distributed them to others who negotiated them. He drove the people around in his truck and gave the participants a portion of the check money after they cashed the checks. In all more than $767,335 in fake checks were negotiated.

The case was brought to the attention of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit by the New Jersey State Police after counterfeit checks were being negotiated against the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority account as well as the East Orange municipal pay roll.

Hyder’s vehicle was linked to the crimes after he was observed driving co-conspirators to banks to cash the fake checks. When a search warrant was executed at his home detectives found, among other things, a tremendous amount of checks, printers, computers, check paper, check software programs, various identifying cards, and various office supplies, according to Assistant Prosecutor Cynthia Teller, who handled the case.

A search warrant for his vehicle used to further the check fraud was also executed. In addition to cell phones, officers found in the truck various counterfeit checks from various businesses and entities.
In addition to the New Jersey Sports and Exposition Authority and the city of East Orange payroll, a total of 50 accounts were compromised, including the New Jersey Family Support Payment Center, Essex County WorkFirst, Essex County Correction Inmate Trust, Community Educations Inc. Resident Account for Delany Hall and Logan Hall, Youthbuild Newark, Inc.

On Sept. 25, 2017 Hyder entered a guilty plea to first degree money laundering, third degree conspiracy to commit forgery, second degree trafficking in personal identifying information and third degree possession of forgery devices.

Yesterday he was sentenced to six years for those crimes. In addition to the prison sentence, Hyder must pay restitution.

“The investigation revealed that this criminal activity had been occurring over a period of time dating back to at least 2013,’’said Assistant Prosecutor Teller.

Acting Prosecutor Laurino lauded the New Jersey State Police and the other cooperating agencies for their assistance in the investigation which lead to Hyder’s arrest and conviction.

In 2015, Buono and former Newark police officer Dino D’Elia, 52, of Newark were charged with two counts of computer theft and one count of conspiracy for illegally accessing a private database made available to police agencies to investigate insurance fraud.

Buono gained access to the database and D’Elia would later sell the information taken from the database to third parties for as much as $100 per search.

The illegal breach was discovered in 2014, prompting an investigation by the Newark Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The Buono accessed the databased on more than 900 occasions. D’Elia sold the information through his private investigation business.

Today Buono admitted his role in the illegal scheme. Under the terms of a plea agreement he is expected to be sentenced to a non-custodial prison term. However, he must forfeiture his job as a police captain and all future public employment.

Sentencing for Buono is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2018 before Judge Ravin.

D’Elia pled guilty in April. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1, before Judge Ravin.

New York Man Admits to Conspiring to Steal Approximately $700,000 in High-End Merchandise from Newark Airport

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that David LaCarriere, 29, of New York City pled guilty yesterday before the Honorable Michael Nelson, Judge of the Superior Court, to conspiring to steal approximately $700,000 in high end merchandise from the cargo area of Newark Airport on Christmas Day 2014.

LaCarriere, who was a driver for a trucking company, conspired with another man to use phony documents to pick up a truckload of Hermes and Chanel clothing, jewelry, pocket books and other items from Newark Airport.

Originally charged with money laundering, theft and conspiracy to commit theft, LaCarriere pled guilty to conspiracy to commit theft of over $75,000 in exchange for a five-year sentence in New Jersey State Prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for Nov. 18 before Judge Nelson.

Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter Dirkin, who handled the case, said an unindicted co-conspirator, entered the cargo area of Newark Airport with a forged air bill and used that document to take merchandise valued at $700,000. That man and LaCarriere then took the truck to a facility near Kennedy Airport. Approximately $350,000 in merchandise was recovered.

The theft came to light when the true owners came to pick up the merchandise and were told it had previously been taken. Detective Daniel McCarty of the Port Authority Police Department identified and tracked the movement of the merchandise and LaCarriere through GPS tracking in the truck he used and LaCarriere’s cell phone.

Dirkin credited Det. McCarty with the identification and arrest of the defendant that resulted in the plea.

Man Sentenced to 55 Years for Murder and Robbery

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Marquise Hawkins, 20, of Newark has been sentenced to 55 years in New Jersey State Prison for the murder of 16-year-old Khalil Williams of Irvington.

The sentence was handed down today by the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court.

The murder occurred in Irvington on Feb. 17, 2012. Hawkins, along with at least two other co-conspirators, drove around for six hours with two loaded handguns looking for someone to rob when they came upon four unsuspecting teenagers walking home, according to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case.

They robbed these teens at gunpoint. Hawkins stayed inside the parked car, while his accomplices did the physical robbing. He ordered them to shoot as one of the teens tried to get away. Two of Hawkins’ accomplices opened fire, shooting Khalil in the back, killing him. After he was arrested, Hawkins gave a statement to police admitting to being in the car and giving the command,but not pulling the trigger.

Today, at sentencing, Edwab said, “In essence, Hawkins pulled the trigger when he ordered his two accomplices with loaded handguns to shoot.’’

On March 30, an Essex County jury convicted Hawkins of four counts of robbery, felony murder, murder and conspiracy charges.

Today Judge Cifelli sentenced Hawkins to 40 years for the murder to run consecutive with a 15-year sentence for the robbery. Under the No Early Release Act, Hawkins must serve 85 percent of his sentence before he is eligible for parole.

“This was a senseless homicide that didn’t have to happen,’’ said Edwab.

Two co-defendants Haroon Perry, 23, and Azim Brogsdale, 19, both of Newark are awaiting trial. They are presumed innocent until proven guilty in court of law.

Essex County Jury Convicts Man of Murder and Robbery

Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that an Essex County jury has convicted Marquise Hawkins, 20, of Newark of murder, felony murder, robbery, conspiracy and weapons offenses in connection with the murder of 16-year-old Khalil Williams of Irvington.

Following a trial before the Honorable Alfonse J. Cifelli, Judge of the Superior Court, the jury found Hawkins, guilty of 10 of the 11 counts he faced. He was acquitted of one weapons offense.

Sentencing for Hawkins is scheduled for May 8.

According to Assistant Prosecutor Justin Edwab, who tried the case, on Feb. 17, 2012, Hawkins and three other men were driving around Irvington with two loaded handguns robbing people. When they approached the intersection of Orange Avenue and Orange Place in Irvington they spotted Williams and three other teenagers walking home.

Hawkins and his accomplices circled the block and came back and robbed the victims at gunpoint. Hawkins remained in the car but ordered his codefendants to shoot. Williams sustained fatal injuries.

“Robbery is bad enough but this case turned into a homicide when Hawkins told the two accomplices, who jumped out of the car, to shoot,’’ said Edwab. “These were innocent kids who were just walking home.’’

Two of the codefendants, Haroon Perry, 23, of Irvington and Azim Brogsdale, 19, of Newark are awaiting trial.

They are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law. The judge set April 13 for a status conference for those defendants.

Prosecutors believe there was a fourth, unidentified co-conspirator who was also involved but never charged.

Four Arrested and Charged with Collecting Unemployment While Working

Three Worked for the City of Newark

 Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that four individuals, including three employed by the city of Newark, were arrested today and charged with theft by deception for collecting unemployment benefits while employed.

Balaal Lewis, 38, of Newark; Tawanda Faulcon, 44, of Newark; Tyrone Farrington, 43, of Newark; and Melinda Dos Santos, 26, of Newark were arrested. Santos was working for Aramark at Rutgers University Newark. All the others were employed by the city of Newark.

It is alleged that the individuals collected unemployment benefits while they were gainfully employed, according to Deputy Chief Assistant Prosecutor Walter J. Dirkin. The amounts range from $7,000 to $23,000.

Their first court appearance is scheduled for Nov. 12.

The investigation was conducted by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Department of Labor and Workforce Development, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of the Inspector General Office of Labor Racketeering and Fraud Investigations.

The investigation is active and ongoing and other arrests are possible.

These are accusations. All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they enter a guilty plea or are found guilty in a court of law.