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    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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    N.J. Men create scam to raise, swipe cash for 9/11 families

    Men create scam to raise, swipe cash for 9/11 families

    11:18 AM, Jan 7, 2014


    • Mark Niemczyk of Tinton Falls, N.J., called himself a first responder and showed up at the site of the World Trade Center in Manhattan with his memorial truck on May 2, 2011, when news of the death of al-Qaeda founder Osama bin Laden was released.(Photo: Tom Spader, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press)
    • -911TRUCK1231A.jpg_20120730 Mark Niemczyk, right, of Tinton Falls, N.J., shakes hands with New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie on Dec. 31, 2011, in Freehold Borough, N.J., after the governor had a press event there. (Photo: Thomas P. Costello, Asbury Park (N.J.) Press)


    TOMS RIVER, N.J. - Two Jersey Shore men admitted guilt Monday in a scheme in which they stole thousands of dollars in donations by falsely claiming they were raising money to help families of those who died in the Sept. 11, 2001, terrorist attacks on the World Trade Center.

    Mark Niemczyk, 67, of Tinton Falls, N.J., pleaded guilty to third-degree theft by deception, and Thomas Scalgione, 41, of Stafford, N.J., pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit third-degree theft by deception.


    The guilty pleas, entered before state Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, were related to their activities selling T-shirts and making appearances in a pickup truck custom-painted with Sept. 11 themes.


    An earlier civil proceeding the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs brought against the men determined that they took in about $120,000 in the course of the scam through collecting donations and selling T-shirts under the guise the proceeds would benefit Sept. 11 charities and families of the victims.


    In the civil proceeding in November, the defendants were ordered to repay that amount, as well as fines and costs of the investigation. They also were barred from ever working for any charitable organization in New Jersey, authorities said.


    Jail time

    In the criminal case, Niemczyk faces 364 days in jail under terms of his plea agreement. Scalgione faces a term of probation, but he likely also will go to jail because he violated conditions of an existing probationary term imposed in Monmouth County when he committed the theft, authorities said.

    Blaney is scheduled to sentence the two men March 7.


    "These con men shamelessly exploited the generosity of others, enriching themselves by diverting funds that were intended for the families of 9/11 victims," acting Attorney General John J. Hoffman said.


    "These defendants exploited a tragedy for their personal gain, and justice demanded that they face criminal prosecution," said Elie Honig, director of the attorney general's division of criminal justice.


    An investigation by the financial and computer crimes bureau of the Division of Criminal Justice revealed that Niemczyk bought a pickup truck in June 2010 and had it custom painted with Sept. 11 themes, including the World Trade Center towers, the logos of the New York City police and fire departments, and the names of the first responders who perished in the terrorist attacks. Scalgione acted as the public-relations person, making arrangements to bring the truck to Sept. 11 events, at which the pair sold T-shirts and collected donations from June 1, 2010, through July 4, 2012.


    Vendor discounts

    An indictment alleged the two men purchased hundreds of T-shirts upon which themes similar to those on the truck were printed. They obtained thousands of dollars in discounts from the two vendors that supplied the T-shirts, authorities said. The T-shirts, purchased by Niemczyk and Scalgione for $3 to $6.90 apiece, were sold for $20 apiece at the events both inside and outside New Jersey, and the pair also put out a jug to collect cash donations.

    None of the proceeds ever went to any charity or victims, and instead was funneled into Niemczyk's bank accounts to pay for personal expenses, authorities said.


    In pleading guilty, both men admitted deceiving the T-shirt suppliers to obtain about $5,000 in discounts, which they must repay as part of their plea agreements, authorities said.


    Deputy Attorney General Sarah Lichter handled the case and accepted the guilty pleas.


    http://www.9news.com/news/article/372075/188/Men-create-scam-to-raise-swipe-cash-for-911-families



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    Senior Member JohnDoe2's Avatar
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