MOUNT HOLLY, NJ (BURLINGTON)–Burlington County Prosecutor LaChia L. Bradshaw announced that a former bank employee has been charged with stealing nearly $1 million from a customer’s account and using it to fund side businesses, real estate transactions and cover personal expenses.
Agha Hasan, 41, was charged with Theft by Deception (Second Degree), Computer Criminal Activity (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), three counts of Failure to File New Jersey Tax Returns (Third Degree), five counts of Failure to Pay Income Tax (Third Degree), and two counts of Filing False Returns (Third Degree).
Hasan is alleged to have stolen $998,188 from the customer over a period of six years. He was taken into custody this morning at his residence in Bordentown Township and lodged in the Burlington County Jail in Mount Holly pending a detention hearing in Superior Court. The case will be prepared for presentation to a grand jury for possible indictment.
The investigation began last year after fraud investigators for Santander Bank contacted law enforcement about questionable transactions conducted and overseen by Hasan, who had recently been terminated from his position at the Mount Holly branch office.
The investigation revealed that Hasan, who had been employed by the bank since 2014, befriended the customer and gained his trust by offering to help with bill paying.
The investigation further revealed that as the relationship with the customer progressed, Hasan began to visit the customer’s residence and obtain blank checks that the customer had signed, as well as have the customer approve wire transfers. Hasan also used the customer’s account to make significant cash withdrawals and disbursements.
The transactions illegally conducted by Hasan utilizing the customer’s funds went toward personal expenses and business ventures in which he had an interest, including the management and operation of gas stations, car washes and convenience markets. The money was also used to broker and finance real estate transactions, as well as to operate a consulting business, Delval Consultants, LLC.
The investigation was conducted by the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit, the New Jersey Department of Treasury – specifically, the Division of Taxation’s Office of Criminal Investigation, and the City of Burlington Police Department. The lead investigator is BCPO Detective Ian Boltz.
Hasan will be prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Andrew R. McDonnell, supervisor of the BCPO Financial Crimes Unit.
All persons are considered innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.
Agha Hasan, 41, was charged with Theft by Deception (Second Degree), Computer Criminal Activity (Second Degree), Misapplication of Entrusted Property (Second Degree), three counts of Failure to File New Jersey Tax Returns (Third Degree), five counts of Failure to Pay Income Tax (Third Degree), and two counts of Filing False Returns (Third Degree).
OSHA offers free app to help calculate worksite heat index, display risks
July 7, 2022
NEW YORK, NY– As temperatures and humidity rise in New Jersey, the U.S. Department of Labor’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration reminds employers and workers not to ignore the dangers of working in hot weather – indoors and out – and remember, “Water. Rest. Shade.” can be the difference between ending the workday safely or suffering serious conditions or worse.
From 2011-2019, the Bureau of Labor Statistics reports 344 worker-related deaths in U.S. were due to environmental heat exposure. Workplace safety experts believe the actual number of heat-related fatalities may be underreported or misreported as another cause, such as heart attack.
To combat the dangers of heat exposure, the department’s Occupational Safety and Health Administration launched a national emphasis program in April 2022 to protect workers from heat illness and injuries.
“Our goal is to ensure workers are protected in hot indoor and outdoor environments,” said OSHA Regional Administrator Michael Rivera in Philadelphia. “For the past several years, OSHA’s heat safety campaign has focused intently on raising awareness of the related dangers. A big part of our recent national emphasis program is reaching out to unions, employers, and other organizations in target industries to increase protection for workers most often exposed to heat illness and injuries.”
OSHA’s message is simple: Water. Rest. Shade. Employers should:
Encourage workers to drink water every 15 minutes.
Ensure workers take frequent rest breaks in the shade to cool down.
Have an emergency plan ready to respond when a worker shows signs of heat-related illness.
Train workers on the hazards of heat exposure, and how to prevent illness.
Allow workers to build a tolerance for working in heat.
The OSHA-NIOSH Heat Safety Tool is a free, downloadable app that calculates a worksite’s heat index and displays the associated risk levels. Users can receive precautionary recommendations specific to heat index risk levels to help protect employees from heat-related illness. The tool is available in English and Spanish.
OSHA’s Occupational Heat Exposure page explains the symptoms of heat illness, first aid measures to provide while waiting for help, engineering controls and work practices to reduce workers’ exposure to heat, and training.
Read a fact sheet on OSHA’s National Emphasis Program to protect workers across the nation from the increasing threat of heat related illness. Learn more about working in outdoor and indoor heat environments.
Learn more about OSHA.
osha-heat-illness-alertDownload Photo by Kawser Hamid on Pexels.com
TRENTON – The Attorney General’s Office today identified the decedent and the officers involved in a fatal police-involved shooting, in which an officer was injured, on March 8, 2024 in Hamilton Township, New Jersey. The decedent has been identified as Vincent Correa, 44, of Hamilton.
The officers from the Hamilton Township Police Department who fired their service weapons at Mr. Correa were Officer Derek Fiabane and Officer Paul Piromalli.
According to the preliminary investigation, uniformed officers of the Hamilton Township Police Department responded to a residence on Orchard Avenue in Hamilton Township, N.J. at approximately 10:07 p.m. in response to a 911 call involving a domestic dispute. During the encounter, Mr. Correa fired a rifle at the officers. One officer was shot multiple times and later transported to a hospital with non-fatal injuries. The officers returned fire, fatally wounding Mr. Correa. A rifle and a handgun were recovered from Mr. Correa’s person. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to Mr. Correa, who was pronounced deceased at the scene at 10:38 p.m.
This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.
The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.
On March 15, 2024 Hamilton Police released the following update on the injured officer:
Hamilton Chief of Police, Kenneth R. DeBoskey, is pleased to announce that the officer injured during last week’s police involved shooting incident is recovering well and has been released from the hospital. We want to thank all the other agencies for their assistance and support. We also want to thank the community for their overwhelming support during this time.
The investigation is ongoing and being investigated by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office. Any inquiries can be addressed to their office.
MidJersey.news photos from March 8, 2024, Orchard Avenue in Hamilton Township.
HAMILTON (Mercer) – A medical helicopter was called out Saturday evening (Feb. 3, 2024) after a man was badly burned in what was reported to be some kind of fire pit accident. Hamilton firefighters and EMS personnel were initially dispatched to an address on Lehigh Avenue about 8:25 p.m. for a reported house fire. They arrived to find there was no house fire but instead a man who had been badly burned from what was said to be a backyard fire pit. A medical helicopter landed at a field behind Nottingham High School and the patient was flown to the burn unit at Temple University Medical Center in Philadelphia. No other details are available at this time.
February 3, 2024
FREEHOLD – An acupuncture doctor who practiced out of Matawan has been criminally charged with sexually assaulting one of his patients, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced Saturday.
Dr. Jeng K. Kuan, 57, also a resident of Matawan, was charged with one count of second-degree Sexual Assault and one count of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
On Thursday, January 25, 2024, the Matawan Police Department received a report regarding the sexual assault of a female victim who recently had an acupuncture appointment with Dr. Kuan, Clinical Director at the Prosperity Health Center, located at 952 State Highway 34, Suite 207.
An investigation by members of the MCPO Special Victims Bureau and the Matawan Police Department resulted in the arrest of Dr. Kuan without incident on Thursday, February 1, 2024. He is being lodged at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution (MCCI) pending a first appearance in Monmouth County Superior Court on Wednesday, February 7.
Investigators are also seeking additional information about Dr. Kuan’s activities. Anyone with information is being asked to contact Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Detective Joseph Mason at 800-533-7443 or Matawan Police Department Detective Michael Denino at 732-290-2038.
Anyone who feels the need to remain anonymous but has information about a crime can submit a tip to Monmouth County Crime Stoppers by calling their confidential telephone tip-line at 1-800-671-4400; by downloading and using the free P3 Tips mobile app (available on iOS and Android – https://www.p3tips.com/1182); by calling 800-671-4400; or by going to the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com
The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Carey Huff. Dr. Kuan is represented by Curt J. Geisler, Esq., of Garfield.
Despite these charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and State law.
Dr. Jeng K. Kuan, 57, also a resident of Matawan, was charged with one count of second-degree Sexual Assault and one count of fourth-degree Criminal Sexual Contact.
West Windsor, NJ – On the unseasonably cold afternoon of April 13, Mercer County’s Park Commission and Planning Department hosted their fourth annual Bike Drive for the benefit of the Mercer County Bike Exchange (BEX) and Boys & Girls Club (BGC). Over 150 bikes were contributed by donors from all over the county and surrounding area.
BEX is a volunteer-run organization whose primary objective is to raise funds that support after-school programs at the Mercer County BGC. The non-profit repairs donated bicycles and sells them at modest prices from its Ewing location at Capitol Plaza on Olden Avenue, promoting biking for transportation and pleasure.
“The annual bike drive is a wonderful example of county government partnering with nonprofits to give back to our community.” said Mercer County Executive Dan Benson. “I’m grateful to all of the volunteers who made this event a tremendous success, and to all of the generous residents who donated their bikes for a good cause.”
“Once again, the Mercer County Park Commission, in cooperation with the Mercer County Bike Exchange and the Mercer County Planning Department, have come together in support of this annual event,” said Acting Executive Director Joseph Pizza. “Thank you to all the volunteers and participants on another successful bike drive.”
According to Ira Saltiel, the BEX volunteer director, 50 volunteers support the organization by working in sales, repairing, picking up, and delivering bikes. Tech-savvy volunteers manage the BEX social media and Craigslist postings. Others harvest parts off bikes that are beyond repair.
Since 2009, the Bike Exchange has sold approximately 27,000 bikes, raising $1.6 million dollars for the BGC. During the past several years, they have also donated approximately 300 free bikes annually to youth in Trenton and other urban areas throughout New Jersey.
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on December 20, 2024 at approximately 10:05 p.m., a three-vehicle collision occurred on South Broad Street near the intersection with Hempstead Road. The area of S. Broad St. where the collision occurred runs in an east to west direction geographically.
The incident involved a 2021 VW Tiguan driven by Anthony Pipitone, a 45-year- old male from Waterford Twp, a 2011 Hyundai Sonata driven by a 62-year-old woman from Lawrenceville, and a 2003 Toyota Camry driven by Byron W. Zepeda Gonzalez, a 43-year-old male from Trenton, NJ.
The preliminary investigation appears to indicate that the VW driven by Pipitone (eastbound) and the Hyundai (westbound) collided in a head-on fashion on S. Broad St. The Toyota driven by Zepeda Gonzalez then collided into the rear of the Hyundai following the initial collision. The cause of the collision is still an on- going investigation, however the weather at the time of the incident was inclement with an active snow fall.
Pipitone and the driver of the Hyundai were both transported via ambulance to Capital Health Regional Trauma Center in Trenton, NJ. Zepeda Gonzalez was transported to RWJ Hospital in Hamilton via ambulance. During the morning hours of 12/21/24, the driver of the Hyundai succumbed to the injuries she sustained and was declared deceased. Her name is being withheld until the notification of her legal next of kin is confirmed.
The crash is being investigated by Officer B. DiBiasi of the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit. Any witnesses are asked to contact the Hamilton Police Traffic Unit at (609) 581-4000.
TOMS RIVER, NJ (OCEAN)–Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention reports that on Wednesday June 26th, 2024 at approximately 11:37 a.m. units from Ocean Beach Fire Company No. 3 responded to Las Vegas Rd in the Monterey Beach section of Toms River for a reported fire involving an electric bike. First arriving units confirmed a fire involving the battery pack of an electric bike outside of the home. The fire was primarily extinguished by the homeowner prior to the fire department’s arrival. The fire was extinguished without incident and the nature of the damaged battery prompted a response from the Berkeley Township Hazmat Team. The scene was documented by Inspector Carlin and the damaged battery was packaged in a container for disposal.
After the battery was packed by the Berkeley Township Hazmat Team, the homeowner placed the container in his vehicle for disposal. Inspector Carlin was still on scene documenting the incident and observed the container on fire in the back of the vehicle. This prompted a second response from Ocean Beach Fire Company and the Berkeley Hazmat Team to repack the battery for a second time. Crews operated for several hours over the span of this incident.
The battery was original to the bike, not recently used, and only used with the manufacturer’s charger. The device was stored outside in direct sunlight at the time the fire occurred. Fires involving Lithium-Ion Batteries can be extremely dangerous to life and health.
The Toms River Bureau of Fire Prevention would like to take this opportunity to remind everyone about using safe practices in your home or business when utilizing Lithium-Ion batteries.
Visit www.batteryfiresafety.org for more information.
A Monmouth County, New Jersey, financial counselor with the United States Army and major in the U.S. Army Reserves who allegedly defrauded two dozen Gold Star families has been indicted, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.
Caz Craffy, a/k/a “Carz Craffey,” 41, of Colts Neck, New Jersey, is charged by indictment with six counts of wire fraud and one count each of securities fraud, making false statements in a loan application, committing acts furthering a personal financial interest, and making false statements to a federal agency.
Craffy is expected to make his initial appearance today before U.S. Magistrate Judge Tonianne J. Bongiovanni at the Trenton Federal Courthouse.
“Stealing from Gold Star families whose loved ones made the ultimate sacrifice in service to our nation is a shameful crime,” said Attorney General Merrick B. Garland. “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant in this case used his position as an Army financial counselor to defraud Gold Star families, steal their money, and enrich himself. Predatory conduct that targets the families of fallen American service members will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”
“The families of our fallen service members have laid the dearest sacrifice on the altar of freedom,” U.S. Attorney Sellinger said. “These Gold Star families deserve our utmost respect and compassion, as well as some small measure of financial security from a grateful nation. They must be off-limits for fraudsters. But, as the indictment alleges, this defendant took advantage of his role as an Army financial counselor to prey upon these families, using lies and deception to steer their investments in a way that would make him money. There is no room for those who seek to rip off families of fallen servicemembers to make a buck. We will use every means at our disposal to ensure that those who defraud military families are held accountable.”
“Those who prey on the family members of fallen soldiers, will be sought out and held accountable,” said Special Agent in Charge Joel Kirch, Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, Northeast Field Office. “The hard work, long hours, and dedication of our partners within the Task Force, from the United States Attorney’s Office, Defense Criminal Investigative Service, FBI, Homeland Security Investigations, and our own investigative analyst, resulted in this investigation’s swift resolution.”
“The families of service members who lost their lives while serving their country deserve to be treated with compassion, dignity and respect by individuals entrusted to assist them in obtaining survivor benefits,” said James R. Ives, Principal Deputy Director of the Defense Criminal Investigative Service, the law enforcement arm of the DoD Office of Inspector General. “Today’s announcement reflects DCIS and our law enforcement partners’ steadfast commitment to holding accountable those who use their official positions to take advantage of grieving military families.”
“Gold Star families are given a title no one would choose because it means they’ve paid the ultimate sacrifice for this country,” said Special in Charge James E. Dennehy of the Newark FBI. The soldier, sailor, marine or airman they loved died during a time of conflict – defending this nation. They are given money and assistance to help ease the burden that comes with losing their loved one, however no amount of money can replace what they’ve lost. We allege Craffy took advantage of his position and defrauded families already going through a tremendous amount of suffering.”
“Craffy disgraced the position he was entrusted in to care for our nation’s military families when he allegedly took advantage of them during a vulnerable time of grief,” said Homeland Security Investigations Newark Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel. “No family, especially our Gold Star families, should have to face further heartache after a loved one’s death by having their financial security ripped out from under them by fraudsters.”
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court: When a member of the Armed Services dies during active duty, his or her surviving beneficiary, now a member of a Gold Star family, is entitled to a $100,000 death gratuity and the soldier’s life insurance of up to $400,000. These payments are disbursed to the beneficiary in a matter of weeks or months following the servicemember’s death. To assist the beneficiaries in this time of need, the military provides a number of services to the servicemember’s family, including the assistance of a financial counselor.
From November 2017 to January 2023, Craffy was a civilian employee of the U.S. Army, working as a financial counselor with the Casualty Assistance Office. He was also a major in the U.S. Army Reserves, where he has been enlisted since 2003.
Craffy was responsible for providing general financial education to the surviving beneficiaries. He was prohibited from offering any personal opinions regarding the surviving beneficiary’s benefits decisions. Craffy was not permitted to participate personally in any government matter in which he had an outside financial interest. However, without telling the Army, Craffy simultaneously maintained outside employment with two separate financial investment firms.
Craffy used his position as an Army financial counselor to identify and target Gold Star families and other military families. He encouraged the Gold Star families to invest their survivor benefits in investment accounts that he managed in his outside, private employment. Based upon Craffy’s false representations and omissions, the vast majority of the Gold Star families mistakenly believed that Craffy’s management of their money was done on behalf of and with the Army’s authorization.
From May 2018 to November 2022, Craffy obtained more than $9.9 million from Gold Star families to invest in accounts managed by Craffy in his private capacity. Once in control of this money, Craffy repeatedly executed trades, often without the family’s authorization. These unauthorized trades earned Craffy high commissions. During the timeframe of the alleged scheme, the Gold Star family accounts had lost more than $3.4 million, while Craffy personally earned more than $1.4 million in commissions, drawn from the family accounts.
The wire fraud and securities fraud charges are each punishable by a maximum of 20 years in prison. The charge of submitting a false statement on a loan application is punishable by a maximum of two years in prison. The charges of acts affecting a personal interest and false statements to a federal agent are each punishable by five years in prison. All counts but the securities fraud count are also punishable by a maximum fine of either $250,000 or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest. The securities fraud count is punishable by a maximum fine of either $5 million or twice the gain or loss from the offense, whichever is greatest.
The U.S. Securities and Exchange Commission (SEC) also filed a civil complaint against Craffy today based on the same and additional conduct. Craffy has been permanently prohibited from association with any member of the Financial Industry Regulatory Authority Inc. (FINRA).
U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited special agents of the Department of the Army Criminal Investigation Division, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Kirch; special agents of DCIS, under the direction of Principal Deputy Director Ives; special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Dennehy; and special agents of Homeland Security Investigations Newark, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Patel with the investigation leading to the indictment. He also expressed appreciation for the Securities and Exchange Commission, under the direction of Gurbir S. Grewal, Director, Division of Enforcement, and FINRA, under the direction of Acting Head of Enforcement Christopher J. Kelly.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Martha K. Nye of the Criminal Division in Trenton, and Carolyn Silane of the Criminal Division in Newark.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.23-198 Defense counsel: Mark Berman Esq., Fair Lawn, New Jersey.
craffy_indictment_signed_docketedDownload Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
HAMILTON TOWNSHIP, NJ (MERCER)–Hamilton Township Police Department released the following statement today in regards to the officer charged with sexual crimes against children:
An officer of the Hamilton Police Division was arrested by the New Jersey State Police (NJSP) on Wednesday, January 29, 2025, and charged with a series of extremely serious criminal offenses. That officer is being suspended without pay and served with a notice of termination. The Hamilton Police Division is cooperating fully with the NJSP and I thank the NJSP for acting so quickly on a tip they received on January 28, 2025. The off-duty allegations made against this officer do not reflect the values of this Agency or of the dedicated and hard-working men and women who put their lives on the line every day for the citizens of Hamilton Township to keep you safe. This Agency condemns in the strongest possible terms the alleged actions of this individual and supports the most vigorous prosecution of this case. As this is an ongoing criminal investigation, the Hamilton Police Division will have no further comment at this time and refers all media inquiries to the Public Information Offices of the New Jersey State Police and the Office of the Attorney General.
Our office is not providing the officer’s name as doing so could compromise the anonymity of the children victimized.
Two Officers in Mercer County Charged with Sexual Crimes Against Children
EAST WINDSOR, NJ (MERCER)–Police say that on Friday, July 19, 2024, at approximately 10:53 p.m., the East Windsor Police Department responded to a reported collision involving a single vehicle crashing into a tree in the area of Brookwood Gardens. Preliminary investigation revealed that a black 2008 Honda Civic was traveling west on Hickory Corner Road, veered off the roadway, and collided into a large tree located on Brookwood Gardens property. The driver and three passengers were injured. A juvenile passenger (4-years-old) sustained serious injuries and was transported to RWJ New Brunswick by New Jersey State Police Medevac and Capital Health Paramedics. The driver, an adult passenger, and an additional juvenile passenger were all transported via ambulance to RWJ New Brunswick for non-life-threatening injuries. The incident is under investigation by the East Windsor Police Department and Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office.
Other agencies responding to the scene, Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office, Capital Health EMS/Capital Health Paramedics, New Jersey State Police, Hightstown EMS, Robbinsville EMS, East Windsor Volunteer Fire Company #1, East Windsor Volunteer Fire Police #1
Photo by Kawser Hamid on Pexels.com
Photo by Sora Shimazaki on Pexels.com
