Category: NORTH JERSEY

Two North Jersey Residents Sentenced To Prison For Phony Debt Elimination Scheme

NEWARK, N.J. – Two New Jersey men were today sentenced to prison terms for their respective roles in using phony monetary instruments to obtain luxury vehicles and other high value items; one of the defendants was additionally convicted of bankruptcy fraud, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.

Germaine Howard King, a/k/a “Germaine Howard,” 47, of Elizabeth, New Jersey, was sentenced to 70 months in prison, and Daniel D. Dxrams, currently known as “Daniel Kusi,” formerly known as “Danny D. Dxrams,” 41, of Maplewood, New Jersey, was sentenced to 57 months in prison. U.S. District Judge John Michael Vasquez imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.

King was convicted for his role in a scheme to defraud banks and other lenders using phony money orders to fraudulently discharge a $400,000 mortgage, to fraudulently obtain two Mercedes Benz (one 2007 and one 2010) cars, and to pay off credit card bills. In addition, King was convicted of a scheme to use phony cashier’s checks to pay off his co-defendant’s five luxury cars.

Dxrams was convicted for his role in a scheme to fraudulently pay off a Rolls Royce, Bentley, and three Mercedes Benz cars (two 2015 cars and one 2016 car). In addition, Dxrams was convicted of bankruptcy fraud and making a false oath during a bankruptcy proceeding.

Two co-defendant were sentenced by Judge Vasquez on Dec. 18, 2019: Melissa Reynolds, 43, of Elizabeth, who previously pleaded guilty to an information charging her with conspiracy to commit mail fraud, mail fraud affecting financial institutions, and bank fraud, was sentenced to one year and one day in prison, five years of supervised release, restitution of $587,081 and forfeiture of $548,242; Arthur N. Martin 3rd was sentenced to time served (one day), three years of supervised release and fined $12,000.

According to documents filed in this case and the evidence at trial:

King conspired with Reynolds to make fraudulent money orders on their home computers. They mailed these phony money orders to a credit union in an effort to fraudulently pay off their two Mercedes Benz cars. Although the credit union rejected both bogus money orders, King and Reynolds mailed correspondences to the credit union falsely claiming that the debt was satisfied. They then stopped paying their car loans, and King kept the car. King and Reynolds mailed a fraudulent money order in the amount of $432,000 to a financial institution to pay off their mortgage. The financial institution erroneously accepted the fraudulent payment and credited it as a payoff for the mortgage. When the financial institution filed a suit seeking to reinstate the fraudulently discharged mortgage, King and Reynolds continued to allege in court that the mortgage had been paid and submitted a phony receipt for the bogus money order. King also made and mailed fraudulent money orders in an attempt to pay off his credit card bills.

Dxrams, King, and Reynolds conspired to fraudulently pay off Dxrams’ five luxury cars. They sent a bogus $101,000 cashier’s check to a finance company that enabled Dxrams to obtain a 2012 Bentley for free. Dxrams sold the car to a third party for approximately $82,000 and then issued a bank check to King for approximately $25,000. The defendants also used this scheme in an effort to fraudulently obtain three Mercedes-Benz cars and a Rolls Royce.

Dxrams was also convicted of bankruptcy fraud and making a false oath before the bankruptcy court. In December 2017, Dxrams filed a bankruptcy petition under penalty of perjury. He falsely concealed his ownership of a car rental business and the gross receipts he earned through this car rental business, his sale of the Bentley, his receipt of money from a personal injury lawsuit, his ownership of firearms, and his marital status, among other things. In January 2018, Dxrams appeared before the bankruptcy trustee and, after being placed under oath, made false statements concerning his bankruptcy petition and his sale of the Bentley.

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Vasquez sentenced King to five years of supervised release and restitution of $597,781. Dxrams was sentenced to three years of supervised release, restitution of $93,236 and forfeiture of $82,000.

U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the FBI and the Joint Terrorism Task Force, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie in Newark; the N.J. Office of Homeland Security and Preparedness, under the direction of Director Jared Maples; the U.S. Department of Education, Office of Inspector General Eastern Regional Office, under the direction of Assistant Special Agent in Charge Debbi Mayer; and the U.S. Department of Housing and Urban Development, Office of Inspector General, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Christina Scaringi with the investigation leading to the convictions.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Lakshmi Srinivasan Herman, of the National Security Unit, in Newark.

Defense counsel:

King: Pro Se

Dxrams: Michael Orozco Esq., Woodland Park, New Jersey

Reynolds: Robert J. Degroot Esq., and Oleg Nekritin Esq., Newark

New Jersey\’s Plastic Bag Ban is Alive- Up In Senate

The bill that would prohibit carryout bags made of plastic film, polystyrene foam food service products, and paper bags, and prohibits the offering of single-use plastic straws,

S2776 (Smith/Greenstein),

will be up for a floor vote on Monday, January 13, 2020.  It will be

amended and up for a floor vote in the Senate.

“The plastic ban bill is alive and will be up for a floor vote in the Senate on Monday. The is one of the most important bills on banning plastics in New Jersey. There is no guarantee that the Assembly will pick it but it is critical that that they act on the bill. The amended version will have a 2-year phase out for plastic, paper, and polystyrene. This is the most comprehensive plastic bill in the nation because it bans paper bags as well as single-use plastic bags. This bill will also encourage more reusable bags because under the bill stores will give our free reusable bags for two months to help with the transition to no paper or plastic bags,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club.

“This is landmark legislation for New Jersey when it comes to plastics and dealing with plastic pollution and it is critical that our legislators push this bill through.”

The bill would prohibit the use of single-use plastic carryout bags and paper bags in stores and food service businesses, and would ban food service businesses from offering single-use plastic straws. It would also ban the sale of polystyrene and would prohibit food service businesses from selling or providing food packaged in polystyrene containers.

“We cannot wait any longer. Our legislature needs to move quickly before our plastic waste problem gets worse. People are fed up with plastic pollution filling up their storm drains and threatening their drinking water. More than 40 towns have started taking action with local plastic bans, isn’t it time for New Jersey’s Legislature to stand up and be as bold as places like Jersey City and Sea Bright? We need this comprehensive statewide ban to more effectively combat our plastic pollution,”

said Jeff Tittel, Director of the New Jersey Sierra Club. “

The Senate and Assembly have the chance to make New Jersey in combating plastic pollution, it is important that they move they put this bill on Governor Murphy’s desk to sign.”

New Jersey Lottery 50th Anniversary Celebration Year

– $42 Billion in Prizes Awarded to its Players since 1970 –

– Innovative New Games & Chances to play in 2020 –

TRENTON (Jan. 8, 2020)

– The New Jersey Lottery, one of the largest lotteries and the third oldest in the United States, is excited to celebrate 50 years of fun-filled gaming with a year-long celebration

that includes the introduction of new games and producing on-going fun and entertainment for players, with continued commitment to responsible gaming while providing financial support to the state

.

“Fifty years ago, New Jersey voters took a chance and approved a state Lottery, which turned out to be a winner. The original hope was that the lottery would generate $12 million in profit annually. Last year, the New Jersey Lottery contributed over a billion dollars to the state,” said James A. Carey, Acting Executive Director of the New Jersey Lottery.

Launched in 1969, the lottery was born with the goal of raising funds to support education and state-run institutions. Today the New Jersey Lottery is committed to providing revenue-generating entertainment products to help protect the retirement benefits of those who serve our community, including New Jersey’s teachers, police officers, firefighters, and other public employees.

“We have so many reasons to celebrate fifty years of success. Since 1970, the New Jersey Lottery has produced over $28 billion in revenue for the state and $42 billion in prizes for our players – making over 2,000 millionaires in the process. I can’t wait to meet the next group of winners at our kickoff events,” said Carey.

THE KICK-OFF EVENTS

The year-long celebration will kick off with two events open to consumers where $50,000 in various prizes will be available to attendees 18 and over, and some (literally) “up for grabs” with the premier of the New Jersey Lottery CA$HNADO, an interactive, prize -grabbing, everybody-is-watching experience.

January 9, 2020; 2:30 – 4:30 PM: Bridgewater Commons Mall in the Atrium

January 11, 2020; 4-6 PM: Wild Wild West in Atlantic City

5 Free Address Lookup Service Online

(Gloucestercitynews.net)(January 9, 2020)–When you want to find someone or details about an individual, you can use their address to know who they are. The challenge, however, that most people face is finding the right service

to use because there are different options to use.

That is why today, our article focuses on helping you know the best address search sites on the internet. We are going to list five of them. Stay tuned.

Zosearch

At the top of our list is

Zosearch

, which is an address search tool, amongst other things, delivers what it promises. It has more than one million users, and something you will like about it is that it has numerous recognitions from sites such as TechRadar, Forbes, Pc mage, and many other high authority sites.

Getting the report is easy. Since it is

a free address lookup site

, Zosearch ensures that you have the report within a minute or so. You do not pay anything to get the full report or do searches. Every search is free, and you can do as many searches as you want.

Besides that, Zosearch has an active customer support team. In the case of problems, they are available to help you.

PeopleFinders

If you are looking for great insights within your reports, then you should use this site. The

report, which is what you require most, is easy to use. Meaning, you will not have any problems analyzing them and finding essential data from them.

Nevertheless, the report does not feature a person’s social media detail, which is not that much of a problem since you can use the Zosearch site for this purpose.

The only negative thing about this site is that you have to pay 25 dollars to use the site. No one who likes free stuff may enjoy the service, nevertheless.

US Search

Just like People finders, this is useful for people who want to invest in an address search tool. Though it is a cheaper option, this one offers all its services at different prices. So instead of a onetime subscription fee, this one will charge depending on the type of information you

want from the report.

For instance, if you want a basic report, then you pay three dollars. For extra information such as marital status, you will need to spend about forty dollars.

On the positive, this site is easy to use, and the information present on these reports is up-to-date. Therefore, there is less likelihood of getting the wrong data.

Instant checkmate

If you want to know more about the owner of a home using their address, then you need to subscribe to their services. The address search option is suitable for people with a budget since their subscription is as low as 40 dollars in a month.

People who search regularly should use this site. The reports are updated, and they contain in-depth information about an individual. Instant checkmate warns you about the details, and if you want to download the report, you will need to pay more to get it.

Been Verified

Other than using a person’s address to locate them, this website also allows you to use their phone number, name, or email address. The site is easy to use, and finding your way while using the tool should not be a challenge.

Reports contain all the information you require. However, the catch 22 situation here is that you have to pay a subscription to get critical details, such as criminal records. Otherwise, when you create an account, you can get the individual’s basic information without incurring any charges.

Final remarks

Now it is up to you to pick out of these five. All these options are viable, and you can depend on them for accurate reports.

When choosing the site to use, be sure that you put your priorities right. For instance, if you do not use the address search tool frequently, then using a free site like Zosearch should be the way to go. Furthermore, the site provides all the details you require in the report.

Nevertheless, if you have to pay for a subscription, then PeopleFinders can be a great option since the reports are self-explanatory, and the subscription is affordable to anyone.

New Jersey Department of Health Continues Efforts to Combat Overdose Epidemic

The Department of Health continues to implement initiatives to help reverse the tide of the opioid epidemic in the state.

image courtesy of unsplash.com

“Eight lives are lost each day to the overdose epidemic in New Jersey,” said Acting Health Commissioner Judith M. Persichilli. “We are committed to linking all those in need to treatment and services by engaging healthcare providers, harm reduction centers, local health officials and emergency care providers in the fight to save lives.”

The Department of Health is expanding its

“5 Minutes to Help”

training course for Emergency Medical Services staff to improve connections to care for non-fatal overdose victims. This program has already trained 75 first responders so they can effectively provide patients with information on recovery resources.   Last week, the Department launched an online introduction course for EMS and law enforcement partners and will hold several in person trainings this year. First responders are on the front lines of this public health challenge, saving lives and serving as the first link to treatment and services. In 2019, EMS administered nearly 10,000 doses of naloxone.

The Department is also increasing access to naloxone.  The Department’s Naloxone Standing Orders program allow pharmacists to dispense the opioid antidote without a prescription. In 2019, there was a 63 percent increase in participating pharmacists and a 30 percent increase in pharmacies.

To reduce dependence on opioids, the Department is working with hospital care providers to decrease opioid prescribing to treat chronic pain in emergency departments. Through the Opioid Reduction Option (ORO) program, 11 hospitals have enrolled in training. St. Joseph’s Regional Medical Center, which serves as a Gold Technical Partner, is sharing its best practices that have received national recognition in reducing opioid prescriptions in their emergency department. In 2019, 165 emergency department personnel were trained.  This year, the Department, and its partner, the New Jersey Hospital Association, will hold another round of training to engage more hospitals in this effort. The goal of the ORO program is to ultimately reduce overall opioid prescribing in NJ’s emergency departments to 12 percent or less.

New Jersey’s seven Harm Reduction Centers continue to play a critical role in addressing the overdose epidemic. The Department is expanding services at these centers to support the health of individuals in active use.  In addition to access to new syringes, overdose prevention education, naloxone, and HIV and Hepatitis C testing, center staff provide outreach, counseling and care coordination. In 2019, more than 3,100 residents were served at these centers located in Asbury Park, Atlantic City, Camden, Jersey City, Newark, Paterson and Trenton.

The Department will continue to improve data collection and analysis to better understand the status of the epidemic and employ better informed strategies for prevention of use, and reduction of deaths and recidivism.  In 2019, the

NJ Overdose Data Dashboard

added data on viral hepatitis and neonatal abstinence syndrome. The dashboard provides statistics on overdose deaths, crime, naloxone administration, prescription monitoring, drug related hospital visits, and other important data to understand the population health impacts of the epidemic.

To help further facilitate data exchange, the Department is supporting efforts by behavioral health providers to implement electronic health records and connection to other health care providers through the New Jersey Health Information Network (NJHIN). Historically, substance use disorder providers have not had access to the resources they needed to maintain modern health record systems, and this technology gap has limited their access to timely health information.  More than 120 providers are interested in participating and 50 have signed contracts with vendors to begin the process of moving to or upgrading their electronic health records systems.

The Department is also focused on addressing the overdose epidemic through a health equity lens.  The growing impact on communities of color and geographic disparities will be covered in a series of health equity forums this Spring, which will culminate in the Fall Population Health summit.

The Department’s work is being supported by both state and federal funding.

Laura T. Colucci, of Bellmawr, Enjoyed Shopping, Hallmark Shows, but Loved Being With Family

Bellmawr – On January 4, 2020. Age 73. Born in Camden she was the daughter of the late Anthony J. and Laura E. (Papp) Colucci. Loving mother of Tommy Madden, Bobby Madden, Barbara Madden, Michele Zimmerman. Cherished grandmother of

Ryan, Nick, Jenna, Chuck, Mike Tyler, Brandon, Marissa, Traci, Robert, Jesse, Ariana, Cheyenna, Shawn, Kaitlyn, Jacob and

Laura T. Colucci

Madison. Great grandmother of Ariella Madden. Beloved sister of Billy Colucci, George Colucci, Charles Colucci, Anthony Colucci, Sandy Colucci, Charlene O’Drain and Patti Cipparone. Laura was also predeceased by her grandson, Shane Madden; sister, Barbara Jean Colucci; brother, Robert Colucci.

Laura worked for many years as a Production Assistant with Vertis Mailing LLC in Bellmawr. She enjoyed shopping, watching Hallmark Shows, but loved being with family.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Thursday, January 9th from 6 to 8 PM and again on Friday January 10

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from 9 to 10 AM at the McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, 851 Monmouth St., Gloucester City. Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated Friday at 10:30 AM in St. Mary’s Church, Gloucester City. Interment will follow in Calvary Cemetery, Cherry Hill.

In lieu of flowers, donations may be made in memory of Laura to: Cancer Research @ M.D. Anderson Cancer Center at Cooper Hospital, C/O The Cooper Foundation, 3 Cooper Plaza, Suite 500, Camden, NJ

08103. Please memo, Laura T. Colucci.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.com under the obituary of Laura T. Colucci. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:  McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ.  Ph: 856-456-1142.

TIPS AND SNIPPETS: Thief Strikes Local Car Dealerships; LGBTQ Curriculum Arrives at 12 Schools

UPDATED:

Lt. Steve Burkhardt, spokesman for the Gloucester City Police Department, said \”Both cases are still under investigation and no charges have been signed at this time.\”

by CNBNewsnet

TRUCK THIEF BUSY IN GLOUCESTER CITY

—A brazen pickup truck thief that struck two different car dealerships in Gloucester City was the focus of a recent

Fox29 report.

One of the thefts occurred January 2, 2020 after 7PM at CW Clarke\’s Auto, located on US Route 130 south near the Gloucester City/Brooklawn border and the other was a week or so before at Gormley\’s Auto, US Route 130 and Klemm Avenue, also in Gloucester City.

There was a Haddon Township gas station robbed at Route 130 and Nicholson Road shortly after the truck was stolen from Clarke\’s.  Police have not confirmed a connection between the theft and robbery according to

Fox29.

CW Clarke owner Jeff Mauro told FOX 29, \”You hear about people taking cars when the business is closed at night or in front of someone\’s house but never when you\’re actually open for business.\” He says someone drove off with a new car as the shop owners were right across the street.

Bob Nage,

of Gormley\’s said the guy who stole the truck from his lot \”actually came in under the guise of buying it. He wanted to look at it and wanted the keys. \”The suspect got in the 2016 black Ram truck and drove straight off the lot,\” Nage said.

(READ MORE)

CNBNews contacted the police for an update on the incidents. As of this posting we have not received a response.

*********

THE LGBTQ CURRICULUM IS HERE

—Twelve schools in New Jersey will begin teaching the state\’s mandated LGBTQ inclusive curriculum this month according to nj1015.com

Gov. Phil Murphy

signed into law nearly a year ago

a measure that requires school districts to include instruction and materials that \”accurately portray political, economic, and social contributions of persons with disabilities and lesbian, gay, bisexual, and transgender people.\”

The law went into effect immediately but will apply to the 2020-2021 school year for the curriculum of middle and high schools.

The schools teaching the pilot program through June of this year include:

Asbury Park:

Dr. Martin Luther King Jr. Middle School

Hackensack:

Bergen Arts and Science Charter Middle School

Haddon Heights:

Haddon Heights Junior-Senior High School

Highland Park:

Highland Park School

Millburn:

Millburn Middle School

Morristown:

Unity Charter School

Newark:

Newark Arts High School

Rumson:

Forrestdale School

Somers Point

: Chartertech High School for the Performing Arts

Tuckerton:

Pinelands Regional Junior High School

Several schools not in the pilot program will still have access to the lesson plans but will not have a curriculum coach or professional development training. Those schools were not named.

Read More:

These 12 schools will be first in NJ to teach LGBTQ curriculum

|

Anna Green of Gloucester City, age 78

Gloucester City – On January 6, 2020. Age 78. (nee DiCresenzo). Loving and devoted wife of 43 years to Walter E. Green. Loving mother of David E. Green. Beloved sister of Julio DiCresenzo (Joan), Mary Weigner, Frances Shone, Emma Malin (Elwood) and JoAnne Piontkowski (Robert). Also survived by many loving nieces and nephews.

Relatives and friends are invited to her viewing on Monday morning, January 13

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, from 9:30 to 10:30 AM at St. Mary’s Church, 426 Monmouth St., Gloucester City, where her Mass of Christian Burial will be celebrated at 11 AM. Interment will follow in New St. Mary’s Cemetery, Bellmawr.

Memorial donations may be made to St. Mary’s Church, at the above church address. Please memo, Anna Green.

Condolences and Memories may be shared at www.mccannhealey.comunder the obituary of Anna Green. Funeral Arrangements and Inquiries through:

McCANN-HEALEY FUNERAL HOME, Gloucester City, NJ.

Ph: 856-456-1142.

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Commissioner, State of NJ-DOT Elected IBTTA Second Vice-President

WASHINGTON, DC

–  The

International Bridge, Tunnel and Turnpike Association (IBTTA)

is pleased to announce that

Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti

, Commissioner,

State of New Jersey Department of Transportation

, will serve as the association’s Second Vice-President. IBTTA is

the worldwide association for the owners and operators of toll facilities and the businesses that serve tolling.

Gutierrez-Scaccetti was elected Second Vice-President by the membership during IBTTA’s 87

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Annual Meeting & Exhibition in Nova Scotia, Canada, this past September. The meeting brought together more than 800 transportation leaders from 23 countries to discuss innovative technologies, policies, funding options and business practices to provide greater mobility for drivers.

“IBTTA is pleased that Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti, Commissioner, State of New Jersey Department of Transportation will serve as our Second Vice President this year. Diane will bring her bold leadership and vision to our association and industry,” said

Patrick D. Jones

, Executive Director and CEO of IBTTA. “In New Jersey and around the world, tolling is providing greater mobility options for millions of customers. Diane’s extensive work in transportation comes at a critical time when communities and nations worldwide are looking at new ways to fund and finance vital transportation infrastructure.”

“I am thrilled and honored that my fellow IBTTA members have entrusted me with this leadership position,” said Diane Gutierrez-Scaccetti. “My involvement as a member of the Board of Directors for IBTTA has allowed me to engage with members across the U.S. and around the world. I look forward to using my experience to address the many challenges and opportunities facing the transportation industry as well as learning from others and applying solutions and best practices that we can use here in New Jersey.”

A native of New Jersey, Gutierrez-Scaccetti is a transportation professional with more than 30 years in the industry, and 36 years in government service. She possesses extensive executive, operational, and planning knowledge. Most recently, the Commissioner served as the Executive Director and CEO at Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise, a part of the Florida Department of Transportation. Under her leadership, Florida’s Turnpike Enterprise managed more than 460 centerline miles and a 5-year capital program in excess of $6 billion, supported by $1 billion in revenues.

The Garden State Outdoor Sports Show

EDISON, NJ–The Garden State Outdoor Sports Show welcomes the return of the tackle time pavilion, expanded hunting & fishing pavilion and the always popular N.J.D.E.P. deer classic.  This year’s show will continue Outdoor Sports Groups pledge to provide a forum for the entire family and the next generation of the outdoor enthusiasts.

Kick the 37

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Anniversary Show off with Pro Staff Fishing Demonstration on the world famous Hawg Trough, 5000 Gallon Aquarium,  Check out the latest in boats, outboards, RVs, powersports,fishing tackle,and hunting gear all featured on the expo floor.

Schedule your time appropriately as there are 4 days of seminars, multiple entertainment events; starting with the spectacular Chics with Axes, kids zone, 3D archery tournament, endless shopping and much more…

Discount tickets are offered on line. Buy in advance and save time and money!

Floor Plan

Buy Tickets Online

Show Information

Buy Discount Tickets NOW!

Deer Classic

Skillful Angler Program