June 24, 2004

DIVISION OF CRIMINAL JUSTICE - FINANCIAL CRIMES BUREAU CHARGES
NEW JERSEY STATE EMPLOYEE AND NEW YORK RESIDENT WITH ILLEGALLY COLLECTING UNEMPLOYMENT BENEFITS

More Than $18,400 Allegedly Bilked From Unemployment Program

Criminal Justice Hotline Established To Report Program Cheats & Corruption
1-866-TIPS-4CJ OR www.njdcj.org

TRENTON – Division of Criminal Justice Director Vaughn L. McKoy announced that the Financial Crimes Bureau has charged a New Jersey state employee and a New York resident with illegally collecting more than $18,000 in Unemployment Insurance (UI) benefits.

According to Director McKoy, the Division of Criminal Justice - Financial Crimes Bureau obtained a State Grand Jury indictment charging John M. Andre, 39, Central Street, Plainfield, Union County, with two counts of theft by deception (3rd degree), and one count of unsworn falsification to authorities (4th degree). If convicted of all charges, Andre faces up to 11 ½ years in state prison and a fine of up to $40,000.

The indictment alleges that Andre filed for Unemployment Insurance benefits in December 1998 and collected on the claim until June, 1999. The investigation revealed that from February through June, 1999, Andre was employed as a clerk at Naval, Inc., located in Monmouth Junction, Middlesex County, and at Allied Systems Ltd., located in Jersey City, Hudson County. It is charged that Andre filed a second claim for UI benefits in March, 2000, and collected on that claim until September. During that time, it was determined that Andre was working as a Human Services Assistant for the New Jersey Department of Human Services in Woodbridge, Middlesex County. It is charged Andre failed to report the Department of Labor earnings, consequently collecting more than $11,900 in UI benefits to which he was not entitled.

A second State Grand Jury indictment charged Sharrise P. Pierce, Queens Village, NY, with theft by deception (3rd degree) and unsworn falsification to authorities (4th degree). If convicted on both charges, Pierce faces up to six and a half years in state prison and a fine of up to $25,000.

The indictment charges that Pierce filed for UI benefits in May, 1999. Approximately one month later, it is alleged that Pierce began working as a Human Resource Manager for the Chubb Insurance Co. located in North Bridgewater, Somerset County. According to the indictment, Pierce did not report the income to the Department of Labor and continued collecting UI benefits until December, 1999. In total, Pierce fraudulently collected more than $6,400 in UI benefits.

"The Division of Criminal Justice and the Department of Labor continue to share information and will conduct investigations targeting deliberate and blatant attempts by individuals to steal thousands of dollars from the state unemployment fund," said Criminal Justice Director McKoy. "Make no mistake, we intend to investigate, prosecute and recoup and return dollars stolen from our unemployment compensation programs."

In announcing the investigation, Director McKoy noted that the Division of Criminal Justice has established a toll-free "Crime Tipline" for the public to report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. The statewide TipLine is: 1-866-TIPS-4CJ. Additionally, the public can log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web Page at www.njdcj.org to electronically report suspected wrongdoing. Any information received via the Division of Criminal Justice Tipline remains confidential.

Deputy Attorney General Denise Grugan, Financial Crimes Bureau, presented both cases to the State Grand Jury. State Investigators Gary O'Brien and Lynn Fitzgerald coordinated the investigations. Both cases have been assigned to the Union County Superior Court.

An indictment is merely an accusation. The defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

# # #