A Linden man appeared in a city court yesterday to answer to the crime of fraudulently converting over $300,000 in household articles and using the money for medical expenses.
The courtroom of Magistrate Faith McGusty heard the case of Mohammed Rafeek, who police alleged fraudulently converted $327,100 in household articles entrusted to him by Angela Veersammy to sell and return the proceeds.
Rafeek, with an endotracheal tube attached, admitted to the crime, which occurred between December 1, 2016 and December 31, 2016.
According to the 45-year-old man, though the items were sold in December, he had an illness in January and had to use the money for treatment. He added that he is willing to repay Veersammy $20,000 every month but would begin with an initial payment of $60,000.
Veersammy agreed with the payment plan and received the $60,000 payment from the man’s wife. Magistrate McGusty released the defendant on self-bail and adjourned the matter to February 27 for further payment of compensation.