By: Richard L. Smith
A New Jersey man has been charged in a multimillion-dollar fraud scheme that allegedly bilked Williams-Sonoma, Inc. and a national transportation and logistics company out of millions through fraudulent trucking invoices, federal authorities announced. 
Jose Pena, 46, of Monroe Township, was charged with conspiracy to commit wire fraud. He appeared in Newark federal court before U.S. Magistrate Judge Jessica S. Allen.
According to court documents, Pena owned a trucking company that subcontracted with a logistics firm—referred to as "Company-1" in legal filings—to handle deliveries for Williams-Sonoma in the New Jersey and New York metropolitan areas.
Between June 2018 and September 2020, prosecutors say Pena worked with employees at both Williams-Sonoma and Company-1 to submit fraudulent invoices for over $3.6 million worth of deliveries that never occurred.
In exchange for their participation, Pena allegedly paid kickbacks, including cash, checks, a luxury SUV, and a Rolex watch.
After an internal audit exposed the scheme, Pena reportedly concealed his ownership in another trucking business that began working directly with Williams-Sonoma in 2021.
Despite the earlier fraud being uncovered, prosecutors allege Pena and some of his former accomplices continued submitting fake invoices until June 2024, defrauding Williams-Sonoma of nearly another $1 million.
Two former employees of Company-1, Raymond DeLeon, 38, of Ridgefield Park, and Cintia Elaxcar, 40, of Perth Amboy, have already pleaded guilty to their roles in the scheme.
DeLeon, a former operations general manager, admitted to receiving over $200,000 in kickbacks, while Elaxcar, a former billing and dispatch manager, acknowledged receiving more than $435,000. 
Both pleaded guilty to conspiracy to commit wire fraud in federal court last month.
If convicted, Pena faces up to 20 years in prison, along with a fine of up to $250,000 or twice the amount gained or lost in the fraud, whichever is greater.