Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey announced that a grand jury in Middlesex County indicted a retired Edison police captain today on charges of illegally using sick leave to collect about $38,000 from the township while working another job.
Natale A. Fresco, 60, of Edison was charged with two counts of second degree official misconduct, one count of third degree theft and one count of third degree theft by deception.
The charges were filed after an investigation determined that Fresco was employed as security director at the Menlo Park Mall between July 15, 2015 and September 30, 2015 and collected sick pay from the township during that time.
The investigation by Detective Nicholas Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that Fresco, known as “Andy,” collected about $38,000 before retiring on October 1, 2015.
Fresco, who worked as a police officer for 36 years, earned $189,000 annually from the township and was being paid $65,000 per year as the mall security director.
The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-3300.