Three Secaucus Young People Accused Of CARES Act Fraud: Police

SECAUCUS, NJ — According to Secaucus Police, two young people in town fraudulently applied for three separate CARES Act loans on behalf of made-up businesses, ranging from agricultural businesses to a marketing company.

Adam Rodriguez, 22, and a 19-year-old local girl made the bogus loan applications in 2020, allege Secaucus Police. They requested three loans in the amounts of $10,000, $10,000 and $9,000 respectively.

Secaucus Police say a third young Secaucus resident, Jadyn Brower, 19, conspired with the two other teens to “launder” the federal loan money by transferring some of the money to one another through various online cash applications.

All three were arrested on Thursday, February 2.

One of their three loan applications was approved, said police, and the teens received $10,000 in federal CARES Act funds. That is federal taxpayer money that was intended to assist legitimate small businesses for economic hardship suffered from the COVID-19 pandemic. CARES Act money was also supposed to go to established businesses that are hurting, not to fund start-ups.

Rodriguez is also charged with forging a check belonging to Clean Eats, LLC, in the amount of $1,900.

“I applaud Detective Aniello Schaffer for his determination in following up on what initially was received as a 'tip' on our tip line and bringing these three defendants to justice,” said Secaucus Police Chief Dennis Miller. “It is very unfortunate that even during a pandemic, criminals will find a way to commit nefarious acts. I also want to thank Homeland Security Investigations, Newark Division, for their assistance in this investigation.”

Rodriguez, 22, of Clifton is charged with Forgery, [2C:21-1a(2)], Money Laundering [2C:21-25b(1)], three counts of Falsifying Records [2C:21-4a], Theft by Deception [2C:20-4a], two counts of Criminal Attempt to Commit Theft by Deception [2C:5-1/2C:20-4a] and Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception [2C:5-2/2C:20-4a].

He was lodged in the Hudson County Jail.

The two teen girls, both 19 of Secaucus, were each charged with Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception [2C:5-2/2C:20-4a] and Money Laundering [2C:21-25b(1)]. They were both charged and released pending their appearance in court.

Tips can be made by calling (201)330-2049, emailing spdtips@secaucus.net or submitting anonymously through the department’s website at www.secaucuspolice.org.

Charges against one of the teen girls were later dismissed.

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