Fairfield (NJ) The Fairfield Police Department announces the arrest of Regina DeComa (36) of Cedar Grove, N.J., Dawn Becker (55) of Oakland, N.J. and Allan Soriano (42) of Cedar Grove, N.J. on a variety of fraud charges that allegedly relate to the theft of over a million dollars.
It is alleged that between October 2018 and August 2020 DeComa, who was an office manager and Becker, who was the financial comptroller of a Fairfield business who requested not to be identified, made unauthorized distributions of corporate funds to themselves, charged items to corporate accounts and DeComa even opened an unauthorized corporate American Express card in her name. Some of the items purchased with the stolen corporate funds included high end sports memorabilia and a Peloton exercise bike. It is even alleged that DeComa, who is engaged to Soriano, purchased her own engagement ring with the theft proceeds. Soriano, who is the owner of AJ’s Lunchbox in West Caldwell, allegedly renovated his business in March when most eateries were closing down due to the COVID19 pandemic allegedly using stolen funds from the company.
Detective Sergeant Jeffrey Didyk and Detective Steven D’Argenio conducted the nearly five-month investigation in consultation with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office. The investigation culminated on December 9, 2020 when Fairfield police executed search warrants at two Cedar Grove residences and at the deli in West Caldwell. It is alleged that amongst some of the items recovered was sports memorabilia that included a framed autographed Michael Jordan University of North Carolina jersey, valued at approximately $10,000, a framed game-used base signed by Derek Jeter, and several autographed Eli Manning helmets and pictures. Also recovered was the Peloton bike and DeComa’s engagement ring.
DeComa and Soriano were arrested immediately after the search warrant execution. DeComa was charged with credit card theft, theft by deception, corporate misconduct and three counts of conspiracy. Soriano was charged with credit card theft, theft by deception and two counts of conspiracy. Both were released on their own recognizance pending further legal proceedings.
On December 14, 2020, Becker surrendered herself to Fairfield authorities. She was charged with credit card theft, theft by deception, corporate misconduct and three counts of conspiracy and released on her own recognizance.
“This was an extensive and comprehensive investigation that took some time for our investigators to fully determine the complete scope of the criminal activity but they did an outstanding job” said Chief Anthony G. Manna. “As is the case most of the time, greed remains law enforcement’s greatest ally in helping us to catch criminals” said the chief.
(It should be noted that the charges against all three are merely allegations and that all are presumed innocent until they either plead guilty or are found guilty in a court of law)
Authorized by: Chief Anthony Manna