Full Notification

<p>Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns, III, Chief John Kuczynski, and New Jersey State Police Kingwood Station Commander Lt. Roger Malone announced the arrest of two individuals following a joint investigation by detectives from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor&rsquo;s Office, Office of the Inspector General &ndash; Social Security Administration, New Jersey Division of Taxation Office of Criminal Investigation, New Jersey State Police Kingwood Barracks, Hunterdon County Division of Adult Protective Services, and the Hunterdon County Department of Human Services.</p>

<p>Christopher Pennetta, age 52, of Pittstown, NJ, was arrested on October 12, 2016, and charged with Theft by Deception, a 2nd degree crime, Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception, Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, Failure to Pay Taxes, and Failure to File Tax Returns, all 3rd degree crimes. Mr. Pennetta was also charged with Falsifying or Tampering with Records and Violation of Contractor&rsquo;s Registration, both 4th degree crimes. The bail for Mr. Pennetta was set at $75,000 by the Honorable Judge Angela F. Borkowski, JSC, and the defendant was lodged in the Somerset County Jail pending his first court appearance.</p>

<p>Catherine Pennetta, age 57, of Pittstown, NJ, was also arrested and charged with Theft by Deception, Conspiracy to Commit Theft by Deception, Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution, Failure to Pay Taxes, and Failure to File Tax Returns, 3rd degree crimes, and&nbsp; Falsifying or Tampering with Records and Violation of Contractor&rsquo;s Registration, both 4th degree crimes. Ms. Pennetta was released on her own recognizance pending her first court appearance.</p>

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<p>According to Prosecutor Kearns, &ldquo;The eight month investigation revealed Christopher and Catherine Pennetta were responsible for the submission of misleading applications for social services and social security benefits since March of 2014, and failing to file and pay income taxes in 2014 and 2015.&nbsp; &nbsp;The Pennetta&rsquo;s were also found to be operating a home improvement business without the proper registration in 2015 and 2016.&rdquo;</p>

<p>The filing of a criminal complaint is merely a step in the criminal justice process. The defendant is presumed innocent until the matter is resolved in a court of law.</p>

<p>Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging &ldquo;HCTIPS&rdquo; plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES). Tipsters can also download the free mobile app &ldquo;Tipsubmit&rdquo; and select Hunterdon County to submit anonymous tips via text messaging. All tips are anonymous and kept confidential.</p>

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<p>For press releases visit our website at http://www.co.hunterdon.nj.us/prosecutor/press.htm</p>