By: Najla Alexander
NJ authorities announced that a Bergen County man admitted his role in embezzling approximately $3.2 million from a New Jersey couple. 
U.S. Attorney Alina Habba stated that Charles Gallo, 34, of Hawthorne, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals in Newark federal court to an Information charging him with wire fraud.
According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
In 2018, Gallo began working as the part-time personal assistant for the victims. Gallo’s duties included managing the victims’ monthly bills and assisting them with banking, email, and other computer/technology-related issues, NJ officials said.
According to NJ officials, from March 2022 through March 2023, Gallo abused this position of trust by engaging in a fraudulent scheme to misappropriate approximately $3,200,000 from the victims’ accounts.
Gallo accomplished this fraud by routinely using the victims’ ATM cards to withdraw large amounts of money, opening a line of credit, and cashing checks made payable to himself drawn on the victims’ bank accounts, NJ authorities say.
NJ officials stated that he also used the victims’ credit cards to purchase computer equipment, gaming systems, collectible items from online retailers, and other unauthorized transactions for his personal use.
The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gross gain or loss from the offense, according to NJ officials.
Sentencing is scheduled for September 10.