Wayne Rutgers Football Player Charged In Fraud Scheme: Prosecutor

WAYNE, NJ — A former Rutgers University football player from Wayne has been charged in an alleged credit-card fraud scheme, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office announced Wednesday.

Brendan R. DeVara, 18, of Totowa, was charged with promoting organized street crime in the second degree, money laundering in the third degree, fraudulent use of credit cards in the third degree, and conspiracy to commit theft by deception in the third degree.

The scheme involved several victims and occurred while the defendants were students at Rutgers University, according to the MCPO. The charges stem from a continuing investigation by the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Rutgers University Police Department.

DeVara is scheduled to appear in Superior Court Thursday.

Seven other players, including two other players who are no longer with the team, were also charged in the scheme.

The investigation determined that between April 22 and May 3, the defendants participated in an illegal credit card fraud scheme in which they obtained credit card numbers belonging to others without their consent or authorization, and transferred funds to various Rutgers University Express Accounts for personal use, according to the MCPO.

Rutgers University dismissed DeVara from the football team for violating team rules, according to NJ.com. DeVara was a sophomore at Rutgers. He released a statement on Twitter July 11 stating he was released from his Rutgers scholarship and was free to transfer to another school. DeVara was a sophomore at Rutgers.

DeVara will reportedly play for the ASA College football team this season. Richie Schnyderite, a recruiting analyst with Rutgers Rivals, first reported on the move Monday.

DeVara was a two-way player for Wayne Hills, playing at quarterback and linebacker as a senior. He helped the Patriots win an NJSIAA North Jersey 1 Group 4 title. He was named first team all-state, first team All-Group 4 by The Star-Ledger, and first-team All-Metro by MSG Varsity.

With reporting by Tom Davis, Patch staff

Related: Rutgers Dismisses Ex-Wayne Hills Star QB From Football Team

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com

Photo: Brendan DeVara (Rutgers University