Cumberland County GOP Chairman Allegedly Defrauds Elderly Patient in Rehabilitation Center

UPDATE: Cumberland County GOP Chairman Allegedly Defrauds Elderly Patient in Rehabilitation Center Crime | Tue, 04/01/2014 - 10:19 am | Updated 4 days 13 hours ago | Read 2942 | Commented 3 | Emailed 6 By Herald Staff Robert Greco. ELDORA - The chairman of the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization has been arrested on charges he took $149,000 from an elderly patient at his Cape May County rehabilitation center to pay for business and personal expenses, according to a report in The Daily Journal. Robert V. Greco Jr., 51, of Cottonwod Drive in Vineland was charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, according to the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. Greco convinced an elderly patient at his East Creek Manor Rehabilitation Center, in Eldora, to sign a power of attorney document giving Greco control of the victim’s finances, authorities alleged. Prosecutor Robert L. Taylor said Greco then took out more than $149,000 from the patient’s financial accounts. The arrest followed a four-month investigation, the prosecutor’s office said. Greco was set at $35,000 bail. He is not listed as an inmate at the Cape May County Jail. The charges against Greco carry a possible sentence for five to 10 years. Greco has served as the Cumberland County GOP chairman since February 2009. Greco has a prior arrest record, which Democrats tried to make a campaign issue during the 2010 election season. He was arrested in 2003 in Cape May County on charges related to an alleged domestic violence incident. Greco was indicted on eight charges, including unlawful possession of a rifle, aggravated assault and abuse of a child. In 2004, he entered a plea of guilty to a charge of threat to kill and was sentenced to three years’ probation, a psychological evaluation and an anger management course; the other charges were dismissed. "I was shocked to learn about the alleged actions of Bob Greco as reported in the press today," said U.S. Rep. Frank Lobiondo in a statement. "Due to the seriousness of the charges, it is only appropriate that Bob resign his chairmanship of the Cumberland County Regular Republican Organization." ***** PROSECUTOR'S RELEASE: After a four month long theft investigation involving the Prosecutor's Office Economic Crimes Unit, police arrested Robert V. Greco Jr., 51, of Vineland. During the course of this investigation, it was determined that Greco, Owner and Administrator of the East Creek Manor Rehabilitation Center, located in Eldora, admitted an elderly patient in Dec. 2012. Upon admitting the victim into the facility, Greco convinced the victim to sign power of attorney documentation giving control of this patient's financial portfolio to Greco. Greco subsequently removed in excess of $149,000 from the victim's bank accounts while the victim resided at the East Creek Rehabilitation Center. These funds were not directly related to the care of the victim but instead were used to pay for expenses that Greco and his business incurred. Greco was subsequently charged with theft by failure to make required disposition, a crime of the second degree, which is subject to a term of imprisonment of five to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison. Bail was set by Judge F. Thomas Hillegas at $35,000 with 10 percent allowed. This investigation is ongoing and is presently being handled by the Cape May County Prosecutor's Office Economic Crimes Unit. Any information relating to Greco or his rehabilitation center, please contact the Prosecutor's Office at 609-465-1135. The charges and allegations contained in the complaint are merely accusations and the defendant is considered innocent unless and until proven guilty.