Crime & Safety
10 Clients Deceived By Hudson County Business Owner, Prosecutor Says
A Hudson County man whose LLC partnered with small businesses and schools has been charged with 10 counts of theft by deception.
HUDSON COUNTY, NJ — A man who aimed to help local businesses and won "Business Partner of the Year" from the county's public school district has been indicted for theft by deception and passing bad checks, prosecutors said Thursday.
Jose Espinoza, 40, of Weehawken, has been charged with nine counts of third-degree theft by deception, one count of second degree theft by deception, and two counts of bad checks/electronic funds transfer, said the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office on Thursday.
He was arrested Thursday and taken to the Hudson County Corrections Facility to await a court appearance, said prosecutors.
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Prosecutors said that on various dates between July 2023 and June 2024, Espinosa deceived 10 people and a business by collecting payments for unperformed services through his company, Move the Needle LLC.
Prosecutors said that he also issued bad checks to five people and one business.
Find out what's happening in Jersey Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
The total reported loss exceeds $100,000, prosecutors said.
The company is located in Jersey City, according to its social media accounts, and was going to work next with businesses in the city of Elizabeth.
Get more local news delivered straight to your inbox. Sign up for free Patch newsletters and alerts.
