TRENTON, NJ – March 31, 2009 – (RealEstateRama) — Attorney General Anne Milgram and Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni announced that a Jersey City man pleaded guilty today to his role in a conspiracy involving his business partner and members of the partner’s family in which they stole $573,383 from the state by filing fraudulent applications for 745 Homestead Rebate checks.
According to Director Gramiccioni, Paul Sarris, 52, of Jersey City, pleaded guilty today to a second-degree charge of theft by deception before Superior Court Judge Darlene J. Pereksta in Mercer County. Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that he be sentenced to 10 years in state prison. He also must pay restitution of $282,902, representing his share of the amount stolen from the state plus a penalty and interest.
In pleading guilty, Sarris admitted that he conspired with his business partner, Achilles “Butz” Amante, 57, formerly of Jersey City, in a fraudulent scheme in which they filed 745 false Homestead Rebate applications with the State of New Jersey between August 2001 and September 2003, including multiple applications for each of 15 residential and commercial addresses they rented in Jersey City.
“This defendant conspired to steal more than half a million dollars in funds that were intended to assist property taxpayers in New Jersey,” said Attorney General Milgram. “This prison sentence sends a strong message that, working with the Division of Taxation, we will thoroughly investigate and vigorously prosecute those who try to defraud these programs.”
The state’s investigation revealed that they filed the applications using names and Social Security numbers obtained from tax preparation clients, without permission of the clients. The defendants laundered the $573,383 in stolen funds by depositing the rebate checks in various commercial bank accounts maintained for their businesses. Sarris specifically admitted that he deposited 371 checks totaling more than $282,000 into six bank accounts he maintained and controlled on behalf of his business, Sarris Financial Services.
Deputy Attorney General Denise Grugan is prosecuting the case and represented the Division of Criminal Justice at the guilty plea hearing. The investigation was conducted by Auditors Kevin Curry and Debra Lewaine of the Division of Taxation – Office of Criminal Investigation.
Charges are pending against Butz Amante, who is a fugitive. An arrest warrant has been issued for him. Sarris has been in Mercer County Jail in lieu of $500,000 bail. Judge Pereksta scheduled his sentencing for June 1.
Three of Amante’s children and his sister, all of Jersey City, previously pleaded guilty and were sentenced last year for participating in the scheme.
Amorito “Angelo” A. Amante, 35, and Aloysius M. Amante, 33, were each sentenced to five years in state prison after pleading guilty to theft by deception. Amorito Amante was ordered to pay $80,173 in restitution, while Aloysius Amante was ordered to pay $40,794 in restitution.
Aristides Amante, 29, also pleaded guilty to theft by deception, and was ordered to serve five years probation, conditioned on serving 30 days in the sheriff’s labor program. He was ordered to pay $78,000 in restitution. Matilda Amante Ramos, 58, pleaded guilty to theft by deception and was ordered to serve five years probation and pay $35,851 in restitution.
Matilda Amante Ramos ran a travel agency, while all of the other defendants operated their own financial service companies offering tax preparation services.
Attorney General Milgram credited the Jersey City Police Department with initiating the investigation after receiving a tip that numerous Homestead Rebate checks addressed to different names were sent to a Jersey City address rented by Sarris and Butz Amante. They referred the case to the New Jersey Division of Taxation – Office of Criminal Investigation, which conducted an audit that identified hundreds of fraudulent rebate applications linked to the defendants. The Division of Taxation brought the Division of Criminal Justice into the investigation.
For Further Information:
Peter Aseltine
609-292-4791
