January 26, 2023

Trenton, N.J. – A Somerset County, New Jersey man yesterday admitted to paying kickbacks in return for fraudulent overtime payments that he received in connection with his former role as the Director of Buildings and Grounds for the Hillsborough Township School District, U.S. Attorney Philip R. Sellinger announced today.

Anthony DeLuca, 61, of Raritan, New Jersey, pleaded guilty before Senior U.S. District Judge Peter G. Sheridan to one count of embezzling, stealing, and obtaining by fraud more than $137,000 of funds belonging to and under the care, custody and control of the Hillsborough Township School District, in violation of Title 18, United States Code, Section 666(a)(1)(A).

According to the documents filed in this case:

DeLuca, a long-term employee of the Hillsborough Township School District, was promoted to the position of Director of Buildings and Grounds in approximately July 2019, a salaried position that did not entitle him to overtime pay. Nevertheless, shortly after assuming this position, the School District employee to whom DeLuca reported (referred to as “Individual 1” in the Information) began directing DeLuca to claim that DeLuca was entitled receive overtime payments, including for hours which substantially exceeded those that DeLuca actually worked. DeLuca submitted these claims to Individual 1 who then authorized overtime payments for DeLuca in return for cash kickbacks.

DeLuca admitted in court yesterday that upon receiving the overtime payments approved by Individual 1, DeLuca would typically withdraw cash from his bank account to provide kickbacks to Individual 1. DeLuca stated that Individual 1 would designate the location to which DeLuca should deliver envelopes containing the cash kickbacks, including the console of Individual 1’s vehicle and a drawer in Individual 1’s office desk. DeLuca admitted that through this scheme he received in excess of $137,000 in overtime payments to which he was not entitled and that he provided Individual 1 with at least $39,800 in kickbacks between July 2019 and January 2022.

DeLuca faces a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and maximum fine of 250,000. Sentencing is scheduled for June 1, 2023.

U.S. Attorney Sellinger credited agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation under the direction of Special Agent in Charge James E. Dennehy in Newark; the Department of Homeland Security, Homeland Security Investigations, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Ricky J. Patel in Newark; and the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, under the direction of Prosecutor John P. McDonald, with the investigation leading to the charges.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorney Mark J. McCarren of the Office’s Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

The charges and allegations contained in the Information pertain to Anthony DeLuca and any other individuals referenced are presumed innocent unless and until those individuals are proven guilty.

23-025 

Defense counsel: S. Emile Lisboa IV, Esq., Hackensack, NJ

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January 10, 2022

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ — The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a police-involved shooting that occurred last evening, Jan. 9, in Hillsborough, N.J. One male civilian sustained fatal injuries. His identity is not being released at this time. No one else was injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred at approximately 6:26 p.m. inside an apartment on Corporal Langon Way in Hillsborough. Officers of the Hillsborough Police Department were dispatched to the residence in response to a 911 call. After officers arrived, they encountered a male resident inside the apartment. During the encounter, one officer discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the man. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to the man, and he was pronounced deceased at the scene at 6:51 p.m.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

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September 29, 2021

HILLSBOROUGH, NJ (SOMERSET)–The Attorney General’s Office is conducting an investigation of a police-involved shooting that occurred yesterday, Sept. 28, in Hillsborough, N.J. One male civilian sustained fatal injuries. His identity is not being released at this time. No one else was injured.

According to the preliminary investigation, the shooting occurred at approximately 4:16 p.m. yesterday inside a residence on Piedmont Path in Hillsborough. Officers of the Hillsborough Police Department responded shortly after 4 p.m. to a 911 call reporting an emergency at the residence. After officers arrived, they encountered a male resident inside the house. During the encounter, one officer discharged his service weapon, fatally wounding the resident. Officers and emergency medical personnel rendered first aid to the resident and he was transported to Robert Wood Johnson University Hospital in New Brunswick, where he was pronounced deceased at 5:28 p.m.

This investigation is being conducted pursuant to Attorney General Directive 2019-4, which implements the statutory requirement that the Attorney General’s Office conduct the investigation of any death that occurs during an encounter with a law enforcement officer acting in the officer’s official capacity or while the decedent is in custody, and which establishes clear standards and procedures for conducting such investigations.

The investigation is ongoing and no further information is being released at this time.

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July 14, 2021

HILLSBOROUGH TOWNSHIP, NJ – The Hillsborough Township Fire District announced a line of duty death of Assistant Chief William Shaffer a 35 year veteran and volunteer at Hillsborough Fire Company #2, Station 37.

The press release reads:

On July 14, 2021, at 1:18 p.m., Hillsborough Fire Company # 1 and # 2 and district career staff responded to Copart Salvage Auctions located at 2124 Camplain Road for a motor vehicle fire, upon arrival units found a well-involved car fire and began extinguishment. Shortly after extinguishment was under way Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 Assistant Chief William Shaffer suffered a medical emergency on scene. He was evaluated and treated by members on scene and transported to RWJ Somerset Hospital by RWJ BLS ambulance. Upon arrival at the hospital, RWJ hospital staff were unable to revive Assistant Chief Shaffer and he passed away.

Assistant Chief Shaffer was a very active member of the Hillsborough Fire Company #2 (Station 37) faithfully serving the citizens of Hillsborough Township for over 35 years, he is survived by his wife Marian and three children. The Hillsborough Board of Fire Commissioners wish to convey their sincere condolences to his family and Hillsborough Fire Company # 2 and thank him for many years of service, may he rest in peace.

Hillsborough Mayor Sean Lipani said, “Hillsborough experienced great sadness today with the untimely passing of one of our dedicated volunteer Fireman Billy Shaffer. Weather you knew him from 37 or from seeing him work at ShopRite, Billy always had a smile and a good word. Our deepest sympathies go out to his wife, Marian and his entire family. He will be sorely missed. Rest easy Billy.”

Funeral arrangements will be announced in the near future.

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