A resident of Passaic County, New Jersey, admitted responsibility for embezzling around $3.2 million from a couple in New Jersey, according to U.S. Attorney Alina Habba.
Charles Gallo, 34, from Hawthorne, New Jersey, entered a guilty plea to wire fraud in front of U.S. District Judge Julien X. Neals at the Newark federal court.
The court documents and statements reveal that in 2018, Gallo started working as a part-time personal assistant for the victims. His responsibilities included managing their monthly bills and assisting with banking, email, and other technology-related issues. Between March 2022 and March 2023, Gallo misused his trusted position to conduct a fraudulent scheme, siphoning approximately $3.2 million from the victims' accounts. He withdrew large sums using the victims’ ATM card, opened a line of credit, and cashed personal checks made out to himself. He also used the victims' credit cards for unauthorized transactions, including the purchase of computer equipment, gaming systems, and collectible items from online retailers for personal use.
The charge of wire fraud could result in a maximum penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or double the gross gain or loss from the offense. Gallo's sentencing is set for September 10, 2025.
U.S. Attorney Habba expressed appreciation for the investigative efforts of the postal inspectors from the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, led by Christopher A. Nielsen, and the special agents of the U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey, under Special Agent in Charge Thomas Mahoney. She also acknowledged the assistance from the Ridgewood Police Department, directed by Chief Forest R. Lyons, and the Hawthorne Police Department, under Chief James Knepper.
Assistant U.S. Attorney Shontae D. Gray of the Economic Crimes Unit in Newark is representing the government.
Defense counsel is Dennis S. Clearly, Esq., based in West Orange, New Jersey.