Edison Police Captain Faked Sick Days While Working at Menlo Park Mall

Menlo Park Mall - A captain in the Edison Police Department took paid sick days while he worked a side job in security at the Menlo Park Mall, alleges Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey.

Edison police captain Natale Fresco, 60 — known as Andrew or “Andy” — took sick days while he went to work as the director of security at the Menlo Park Mall from July 15 through September 30 of this year, Carey says.

Fresco retired on Oct. 1 of this year, but in total, he stole about $38,000 from the township, prosecutors said. He was indicted late last week by a Middlesex County grand jury.

Fresco, who worked as a police officer for 36 years, earned $189,000 annually. That’s in addition to the $65,000 he made per year as Menlo Park’s security director.

Fresco was charged with two counts of second degree official misconduct, one count of third degree theft and one count of third degree theft by deception.

The prosecutor is actively seeking tips into this case. If you have any info, you are asked to call Detective Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.