Father, Son Admit To Using Paulsboro Deli In $100M Stock Inflation Scheme: Feds
A quiet deli in Paulsboro became the unlikely focal point of a $100 million stock manipulation scheme led by a father and son, authorities said.
Peter Coker Sr., 82, of Chapel Hill, North Carolina, and his son, Peter Coker Jr., 56, pleaded guilty on Thursday, Dec. 19 to securities fraud and conspiracy to commit securities fraud, New Jersey's U.S. Attorney Philip Sellinger said in a news release. Coker Jr. is a former resident of Hong Kong.
Prosecutors said the plan started around 2014 when two New Jersey residents opened Your Hometown Deli on Mantua Avenue. The pair soug…
Mahwah Mansion Seized From Chinese Billionaire Fraudster Listed At $33M
A historic Bergen County estate seized from a Chinese billionaire indicted in a $1 billion fraud scheme last year has hit the market for $33 million.
The Crocker Mansion, located at 675 Ramapo Valley Road in Mahwah, spans 50,000 square feet and sits on 12.5 gated acres. Originally built in 1907, the property features 21 bedrooms, a pool house, tennis courts, and a guest house. It was declared a historic landmark by Mahwah Township due to its unique place in local history.
In March 2023, the home was seized from Guo Wengui, when he was indicted on multiple charges, including wire fraud, secu…
Famous Investor To Open New Independent Bookstore In Bedford: Here's When
A well-known entrepreneur and investor who lives in Northern Westchester is about to open a bookstore in her hometown.
Bedford Books, located at 13 Court Rd. in Bedford, will hold a grand opening celebration on Thursday, Dec. 12 from 10 a.m. to 7 p.m., according to owner Fran Hauser.
“Opening a bookstore has been my lifelong dream, and I’m so excited to share Bedford Books with our wonderful community,” Hauser said, adding, “I hope the bookstore will be a welcoming place where people can find inspiration, learn new things, and connect with others."
The bookstore's grand opening…
Fair Lawn Man Defrauds Childhood Friend Out Of $84K In Investment Scam: AG
A Bergen County man and his associate are accused of scamming a childhood friend into liquidating her retirement account to fund a software venture, then misusing the money for personal expenses, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced.
Michael Lakshin of Fair Lawn and Edward "Eddie" Aizman of Brooklyn, NY, along with their company Bowmo, Inc., face a civil enforcement action for defrauding at least one New Jersey investor, according to a complaint filed by the New Jersey Bureau of Securities on Friday, Nov. 22.
Lakshin, leveraging a childhood connection, persuaded the investor t…
Greenwich Investment Firm Founder Stole Millions In Clients' Cash: Feds
A 49-year-old Connecticut man faces potentially decades in prison after he allegedly defrauded and stole $3.5 million of his client's money for years, federal authorities said.
Justin C. Murphy, 49, of Stamford, is charged with 15 counts of wire fraud, five counts of money laundering, and three counts of tax evasion, the US Attorney for Connecticut announced on Tuesday, Nov. 5.
Murphy ran the Greenwich-based investment firm Mara. The company also went by Mara Investment Group, LLC, Mara Investment Management LP, and Mara Investments Global Management LLC.
Federal inv…
