PTI – $264,000 Theft by Deception & Money Laundering
Felony Charges
Money Laundering Charges
Theft & Fraud Charges
Our client, G.R.-L., was charged on a complaint-warrant out of West New York in Hudson County with six indictable offenses tied to a single business check for $264,643.25. Police alleged that in December 2024 he set up a company and bank account under a name nearly identical to the business the check was written to, then deposited the check and withdrew the funds with a co-defendant.
The Charges
- Theft by deception, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4
- Theft by unlawful taking, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3(a)
- Forgery, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-1(a)(2)
- Impersonation, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-17(a)(1)
- Conspiracy to commit theft, N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2(a)(1)
- Money laundering, N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25(a)
Because the amount was over $75,000, both the theft and money laundering charges were second-degree crimes. Each carried 5 to 10 years in state prison and a presumption of imprisonment. A second-degree charge also starts with a presumption against Pre-Trial Intervention: the prosecutor must consent before a defendant can be admitted.
The Result
We resolved the case with one year of Pre-Trial Intervention, and no restitution was required. The State agreed to downgrade the theft charge from second degree to third-degree theft of movable property, N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3(a). Our client entered a guilty plea to that charge as a condition of admission, with 25 hours of community service. New Jersey law requires a guilty plea for PTI on a first- or second-degree charge (N.J.S.A. 2C:43-12(g)(3)). The plea is held while the client completes the program.
If our client completes PTI, the plea is vacated and every charge is dismissed, leaving no conviction. He can then apply to have the arrest records expunged.