After making a deal with the state to pay $5.5 million for conning 30 victims out of investments, a father and son duo are again facing charges, after having help from others. George Bussanich a 56 year old man from Park Ridge and George Bussanich Jr, a 35 year old man from Upper Saddle River defrauded half the victims out of another $3 million to help pay their debts. They are both charged with conspiracy, racketeering, and money laundering all in the 1st degree. Heidi Francavilla, 56, and Robert G. Schooley, 64, both of Park Ridge, and Brendan M. Byrne, a 44 year old man from Paterson were the co-conspirators. Acting New Jersey Attorney General John J. Hoffman said that The audacity of these defendants is astounding. Since they went and did the same thing as before.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:5-2 which is Conspiracy, it involves acting with another defendant to commit a crime. Any type of planning and assisting prior to and during the crime is covered under conspiracy. It is a very serious crime in the state of New Jersey. In this case it is a crime of the 1st degree which is punishable by 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:41-3 which is racketeering, is the act of being involved in a larger crime. The act involves obtaining money illegally from someone and then controlling that money to run other businesses. It is a crime of the 1st degree in this case, and if found guilty a person is looking at 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Under N.J.S.A. 2C:21-25 which is money laundering, is the act of having illegally obtained money and having it look like it is legal. It is a very serious offense in the state of New Jersey and in this case it was a crime of the 1st degree which is found guilty a person will be looking at 10 to 20 years in New Jersey State Prison.
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