NJ Assemblyman Under Investigation For Fraud

A New Jersey Assemblyman is under investigation for allegedly forging the signatures of Assembly aides on paychecks and cashing them. It wouldn't be the first time either.

Bayonne Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone yesterday confirmed he is being investigated by the state Attorney General's Office, apparently for allegedly forging the signatures of Assembly aides on paychecks and cashing them - actions he strongly denies.

Chiappone said he became aware of the probe yesterday when five former and one current Assembly aide called to tell him they were visited yesterday by state AG detectives who showed them copies of canceled checks and asked them to verify their signatures.

Chiappone said he immediately called the state attorney general to ask what the inquiry was about, but that officials wouldn't answer his questions over the telephone.

He said he is voluntarily going to the attorney general's office in Trenton tomorrow - without an attorney - to be interviewed.

The attorney general's spokesman, Peter Aseltine, would not confirm or deny the investigation.

Chiappone, who recently resigned from the Bayonne City Council, said only one current aide, Robert Mays, was interviewed. The other five persons worked for him in during his 2004-2005 Assembly term, he said. Those names were not available last night and Mays declined to comment.

He was accused of a similar situation in 2005 incident when a campaign worker for Chiappone, Michael Albanese, filed a police report accusing Chiappone of forging his signature and depositing a $180 check. Chiappone said the check was accidentally mixed up with his mail, and his wife deposited the check. Albanese eventually entered a guilty plea on filing a false police report and paid a $500 fine.