Tammy L. Martinez, Bank Fraud, New Jersey 2019

A Middlesex County woman has admitted to orchestrating a $1.7 million bank fraud scheme that involved writing fraudulent business checks, according to U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito.

Tammy L. Martinez, 46, of South Amboy, pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging her with one count of bank fraud.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court, Martinez served as an office manager and bookkeeper for a New Jersey-based company. Beginning in January 2014, Martinez used her position at the company to issue fraudulent checks made payable to Martinez or cash and forged the signature of her manager on fraudulent company checks. Martinez converted the fraudulent company checks into cash at bank branches in New Jersey, resulting in more than $1.7 million in losses to the company.

The bank fraud count carries a maximum potential penalty of 30 years in prison and a $1 million fine. Sentencing is scheduled for February 11, 2020.

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 officers of the Newark Police Department, under the direction of Public Safety Director Anthony Ambrose, with the investigation leading to today's guilty plea.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Jamel Semper of the U.S. Attorney's Office Economic Crimes Unit.

Defense counsel: Peter Carter Esq., Assistant Federal Public Defender, Newark

Mandated Facts:

Defendant/Respondent: Tammy L. Martinez

Criminal Charges: One count of bank fraud

City and State: Newark, New Jersey

Exact Date: February 11, 2020 (sentencing)

Sentence or Outcome: Sentencing scheduled for February 11, 2020

Dollar Amounts: $1.7 million in losses to the company, $1 million fine

Source: https://www.justice.gov/usao-nj/pr/middlesex-county-woman-admits-17-million-bank-fraud-scheme