A Lyndhurst NJ man has been indicted for allegedly defrauding a co-op in Fort Lee, New Jersey.

The 48-year-old suspect worked as a plumber at the Colony co-op, which is located in Fort Lee, NJ. The suspect was hired in September 2012 to buy copper piping. The piping was supposed to be used in a riser replacement project at the building.

According to Bergen County prosecutors, the suspect stole more than $600K from members of the co-op.

The suspect reportedly told his employers that he would purchase the necessary piping and then lock it in a separate area at the building. He filled out purchase orders claiming to have bought $1.4 million worth of copper piping and related materials. However, investigators checked the room and determined that the suspect had purchased less than $800K of necessary materials.

Prosecutors claim that the suspect spent the stolen funds on personal items.

Once investigators had enough evidence, the suspect was placed under arrest. He was charged with a number of crimes, including theft by deception, theft by failure to make disposition of property received, misapplication of entrusted property, and uttering a forged document.

Now the suspect has been indicted by a Bergen County grand jury.

If the suspect is ultimately convicted on the theft charges, he faces severe penalties. As set forth by N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4, anyone who creates or reinforces a false impression with respect to their intention to perform a promise can be charged with theft by deception. A conviction on second degree theft by deception charges could result in a sentence of 5-10 years in NJ State Prison.

For further information about this case, access the NJ.com article entitled “Plumber Snaked Fort Lee Co-op Out of $650K, Prosecutor Says.”