NEWARK, N.J. – A Middlesex County woman was arrested today for allegedly orchestrating a $1.7 million bank fraud scheme that involved writing fraudulent business checks, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
Officials say Tammy Martinez, 46, of South Amboy, is charged by complaint with one count of bank fraud. Federal agents arrested Martinez this morning; she is scheduled to appear this afternoon before U.S. Magistrate Judge Cathy L. Waldor in Newark federal court.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
From January 2014 through March 2019, Martinez served as an office manager and bookkeeper for a company in Newark.
Beginning in January of 2014, Martinez used her position to issue fraudulent company checks made payable to herself or cash and forged the signature of her manager on the checks.
Martinez then converted the fraudulent company checks into cash at bank branches in New Jersey. Martinez’s bank fraud scheme resulted in more than $1.7 in losses.
The bank fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine.
U.S. Attorney Carpenito credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office, under the direction of Supervisory Special Agent Thomas Mahoney in Newark, and the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony F. Ambrose, with the investigation leading to today’s arrest.
The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper of the U.S. Attorney’s Office Economic Crimes Unit.
The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty