Harold's Deli Owner Sentenced to Five Years

Acting Essex County Prosecutor Carolyn A. Murray announced today that Parsippany restaurant owner Spyridon Gizas was sentenced to five years in state prison for his role in a credit card fraud scheme.

“Even though I argued for a longer sentence, I am satisfied with the outcome,"  said Assistant Prosecutor Portia Downing. "Financial crimes are not victimless crimes. Sentencing this defendant to five years sends a clear message that this is a serious offense which warrants significant prison time.

Last Dec. 15, 53-year-old Gizas, who owned the now-shuttered the on Route 46 in Parsippany, by an Essex County jury.

The jury found Gizas guilty after one hour of deliberation.

The conviction stemmed from incidences that occurred on Oct. 16 and Oct. 17, 2009, in which Gizas charged nearly $40,000 to American Express using stolen credit card numbers, according to Downing, who tried the case.

American Express paid the bills within 48 to 72 hours, as is the company’s practice, but when customers received the charges, they called the credit card company and said they had never made purchases at the deli, according to the assistant prosecutor. She added that Gizas had five prior felony convictions on his record. 

Superior Court Judge Peter J. Vazquez handed down the sentence Friday afternoon at the Essex County Veterans Courthouse in Newark.