New Jersey Lawyer Admits Scheme To Extort And Defraud Victims Through Fake IRS Investigation

On June 3, 2013, in the United States District Court for the District of New Jersey, Thomas G. Frey, 53, a Middlesex County lawyer pleaded guilty to conspiring to commit extortion under fear of economic harm and to committing wire fraud. According to documents filed in this case, Frey, Robert Cusic and another unnamed co-conspirator schemed to defraud four victims, including two police officers, by falsely representing to them that they were the subjects of IRS criminal investigations in connection with investment properties that some of them owned.

Frey allegedly lied to the victims and told them he had a special relationship with the IRS Special Agent who was conducting the investigation. Frey told the victims if they paid up to $20,000, his connection at the IRS could have the investigation converted from a criminal matter to a civil matter. Allegedly, Frey and the unnamed co-conspirator told some of the victims that if they did not retain his services and pay the fee, the investigation would likely result in their arrest.

Robert Cusic pleaded guilty Nov. 28, 2011, to conspiring with Frey to extort the victims. He is awaiting sentencing.