Asbury man charged in $400,000 fraud targeting 91-year-old Clarksburg resident

Posted by
1 min read
December 16, 2024

FLEMINGTON, N.J. — A 38-year-old man from Asbury has been charged with theft by deception and tax-related offenses after authorities allege he defrauded a 91-year-old Clarksburg man of $400,000 through a false loan scheme.

Christopher Sterlacci was arrested following an investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Office, which alleges that Sterlacci promised vehicles and properties as collateral in a loan agreement with the elderly victim in May 2021. Authorities say the assets pledged by Sterlacci did not belong to him, and he defaulted on the loan.

The suspected fraud was reported to police in March 2023, and charges were officially filed on October 23. Sterlacci is facing one count of second-degree theft by deception, as well as two third-degree charges for failing to file a New Jersey tax return and failing to pay state taxes, fees, penalties, or interest.

If convicted, Sterlacci could face up to 10 years in prison and $150,000 in fines for the theft charge. The tax-related offenses each carry potential penalties of three to five years in prison and fines of up to $15,000.

Prosecutors stress that the charges remain accusations and that Sterlacci is presumed innocent unless proven guilty in court.

Phil Stilton

Phil Stilton is the Editor and Publisher of Shore News Network, an independent digital newsroom providing original reporting on New Jersey, national news, government, public policy, public safety, courts, and community affairs.

As founder of the publication, Stilton leads editorial strategy, investigative reporting, and daily newsroom operations while overseeing coverage that reaches millions of readers annually.

With extensive experience covering municipal government, county government, state legislatures, elections, law enforcement, emergency management, and public records, Stilton specializes in translating complex government actions into clear, factual reporting. His work frequently relies on primary source documents, including court filings, legislation, public meeting records, election finance disclosures, government databases, police reports, and Freedom of Information and Open Public Records Act (OPRA) requests. He has reported extensively on local government accountability, taxpayer spending, campaign finance, public corruption investigations, infrastructure, public safety, and the policies affecting New Jersey residents.

Under Stilton's editorial leadership, Shore News Network has grown into one of New Jersey's largest independent digital news organizations, publishing thousands of original news articles each year while providing breaking news coverage, investigative reporting, and analysis across state and local government. The publication's reporting is routinely sourced from official government agencies, public officials, court records, and firsthand documentation, with a commitment to transparency, attribution, corrections when warranted, and clearly distinguishing factual reporting from opinion.

Stilton's journalism follows established newsroom standards emphasizing accuracy, verification, fairness, and accountability. Every effort is made to verify information through official records and multiple reliable sources before publication. His reporting is intended to provide readers with timely, well-documented information that helps them understand the issues affecting their communities, while maintaining editorial independence from political parties, government agencies, advocacy organizations, and commercial interests.

Readers can submit story tips, corrections, public records, or media inquiries through the official Shore News Network website or its verified social media channels. Shore News Network welcomes corrections and updates when new information becomes available as part of its ongoing commitment to accurate and transparent journalism.

Facebook

Don't Miss