Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Frank LaRocca, 40 of Hackettstown, pled guilty today to an accusation charging him theft by unlawful taking in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3(a).
Defendant was a bookkeeper who was hired by the victim to pay his bills and manage his bank account.
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to unlawfully taking funds belonging to the victim, in the amount of $170,805.61.
During his plea, the defendant admitted that he unlawfully took funds from the victim’s account to pay for his own personal expenses knowing that he was not authorized to do so.
Under the terms of the plea agreement, the defendant agreed to sign a consent judgement and pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $170,805.61. The State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to a three (3) year prison term.
Supervising Assistant Prosecutor Francine S. Ehrenberg represented the State in this matter.
The Honorable James M. DeMarzo, J.S.C., presided over the plea. The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced May 13, 2016.
The defendant’s wife, Jennifer LaRocca, 40 of Hackettstown, pled guilty on Feb. 10 to one (1) count of third degree theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3(a).
Under the terms of Mrs. LaRocca’s plea agreement, she signed a consent judgement and will pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $170,805.61, for which both defendants are jointly and individually responsible.
Mrs. LaRocca is scheduled to be sentenced on April 1, 2016.