FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE FRIDAY, AUGUST 20, 2004 WWW.USDOJ.GOV CRM (202) 514-2008 TDD (202) 514-1888 NEWARK-Christopher A. Wray, Assistant Attorney General for the Criminal Division of the Department of Justice, announced that Frank J. Aversa, 49, of Ridgewood, New Jersey, pleaded guilty today in U.S. District Court in Newark to one count of defrauding the United States by using his official position to carry out a mail fraud scheme.
Aversa faces a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison, a three year term of supervised release, and a fine of $250,000. Aversa is scheduled to be sentenced in front of United States District Judge Jerome B. Simandle on Dec. 10, 2004.
In his plea of guilty, Aversa admitted that, beginning in late 2003, he was principally engaged in the investigation of credit card fraud schemes as a United States Postal Inspector. Aversa used his official position to access a United States Postal Service mail depository from which he stole several individuals credit cards. Aversa then used those individuals personal information to obtain additional credit cards in their names. Aversa admitted to fraudulently charging more than $19,000 worth of merchandise on the stolen credit cards for his personal benefit.
This case is being prosecuted by Trial Attorney James A. Crowell IV of the Public Integrity Section at the U.S. Department of Justice, Criminal Division -- headed by Section Chief Noel Hillman -- and investigated by the Internal Affairs Division of the United States Postal Inspection Service, and the Bergen County Prosecutors Office. 04-573
Source: US Department of Justice
