Scotch Plains Car Theft Ringleader Busted Again: AG

SCOTCH PLAINS, NJ — A Scotch Plains woman, who was indicted last year as a leader in an auto-theft trafficking network, is now being charged with trying to steal $241,000 from an online lending company, Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino announced.

Tyisha Brantley, 37, was charged with computer criminal activity, attempted theft by deception and falsifying records for allegedly using her work computer at Pfizer Inc. to create and send phony bank statements to iLoan Residential Mortgage lending to try and get a $241,000 mortgage to purchase a home in Newark, Porrino stated.

While working at Pfizer as an executive assistant, Brantley allegedly used her work computer between July and October 2015 to carry out the scheme, Porrino said.

A search of her computer was done in August 2016 after Pfizer learned she had been charged with first-degree promotion of organized street crime and other offenses related to a stolen auto ring that preyed on people selling their vehicles on Craigslist, according to reports.

“We allege that while she was supervising a network of car thieves, this defendant was also scheming to steal nearly a quarter million dollars from an online mortgage lender,” stated Porrino. “Her alleged conduct demonstrates a blatant contempt for the law that will not be tolerated.”

• See Related: Union County Car Theft Ringleader Busted: AG

Brantley, along with her boyfriend and another woman, were charged in August 2016 with running a criminal network responsible for the theft of 10 vehicles between May and November of 2015. The cars, valued at $248,650 in total, were sold to dealerships for a $107,250 profit, according to reports.

Thirteen others were also indicted for their alleged roles in the criminal scheme that was brought down by a multi-jurisdictional investigation dubbed “Operation Title Flip.”

After her arrest, Pfizer had a company security team take her work laptop and phone to see if they contained any incriminatory evidence. A forensic search of her files and emails found information allegedly linking Brantley to the mortgage scheme, according to prosecutors.

Brantley allegedly used computer software to change her add her name as an account holder to her boyfriend's account and also changed the balance from $-525.05 to $15,933. She then sent the fake statements to a lending company, but the loan was not approved.

Brantley was charged with second-degree computer criminal activity, second-degree attempted theft by deception and two counts of fourth-degree falsifying records.

The 2016 indictment of Brantley also charged her with leader of an auto theft network, conspiracy, impersonation, and theft by deception, all in the second degree, as well as attempted theft by deception in the third degree.

People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting www.NJInsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.

(Image via Attorney General: Tyisha Brantley, 37, of Scotch Plains)

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