Former Hudson County Parks Department “No-Show” Worker Charged with 28 Counts of Wire Fraud

NEWARK, N.J. - A Bergen County man was charged by complaint with 28 counts of wire fraud for obtaining payments from the Hudson County, New Jersey for work that he did not perform and then applying for unemployment benefits in connection with that purported work, United States Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Alfonso A. Zamarra, 58, of Rutherford, New Jersey, had his initial appearance today in Newark before United States Magistrate Judge José R. Almonte. He was released on a $100,000 bond.

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

During three approximately six-month periods spanning late 2019 through July 2023, Zamarra held a "no-show" job as a seasonal worker with the Hudson County, New Jersey Parks Department. During those times, he caused timesheets to be submitted to Hudson County so that he would be paid for work he did not actually perform. Seasonal employees were prohibited from working more than six months during any 12-month period, so at times that Zamarra did not hold this "no-show" position, he submitted claims for unemployment benefits to the New Jersey Department of Labor. As a result, Zamarra received tens of thousands of dollars in wages and unemployment benefits to which he was not entitled.

Each count of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of 20 years' imprisonment and a fine of $250,000.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the FBI Newark Field Office, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy, the U.S. Department of Labor, Office of Inspector General, Northeast Region, under the direction of Inspector General Anthony D'Esposito, with the investigation Customs and Border Protection (CBP), under the direction of New York Director of Field Operation Frank Russo, and Port Authority Police Department, under the direction of Edward T. Cetnar.

The government is represented by Senior Trial Counsel Francesca Liquori of the Special Prosecutions Division and Unit Chief Jason Goldberg of the Criminal Division.

The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely allegations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.

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Defense counsel: Alyssa A. Cimino, Esq.