Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Marco Laviola, 35, of North Bergen plead guilty to one count of theft by deception on Thursday, Aug. 5 before the Honorable Robert H. Gardner.
Assistant Prosecutor Jane Plaisted said Laviola stole approximately $630,000 from Sal Son Trucking Company, located at 88 Doremus Avenue, Newark. Between February 2005 and January 2007, Laviola obtained false or fraudulent checks drawn on the company’s business account and distributed the money to co-conspirators.
As part of the criminal scheme bank accounts were set up in the names of various companies including JFK Towing, Zach’s Towing & Repair, UMP’s Shop Repairs, Slogan’s Towing and Brower’s Auto for the purpose making deposits of money stolen from Sal Son Trucking Company. The money was later withdrawn from the accounts and distributed among the co-conspirators.
“This defendant, who was involved in stealing nearly three quarters of a million dollars from his former employer apparently to support his gambling, has taken responsibility for his crime and agreed to make restitution to the victim,’’ said Assistant Prosecutor Plaisted.
Laviola is scheduled to be sentenced on Oct. 1, 2010. The state has agreed to recommend a five year sentence. Laviola is free on $150,000 bail.
Two other defendants were charged along with Laviola. Debra Schinnagle, 51, of Bayonne and Marvin Crespo, 35, of North Bergen. Their cases are pending.
Acting Prosecutor Laurino commended Lieutenant James Johnston and Detective Dan Cokelet of the Essex County Prosecutor’s Economic Crimes Unit.
All defendants are presumed innocent unless and until they are proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
