BRIELLE – A former police officer was charged with forging documents in order to buy a property in Brielle, and other charges involving ripping off tenants, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.
Cory R. Cole, 49, of Brielle, is charged with second degree Theft by Deception, third degree Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received, two counts of fourth degree Forgery, and two counts of fourth degree Uttering a Forged Document.
He allegedly forged a document to secure a $425,000 loan to purchase a property on Borrie Avenue in Brielle in July of 2019. He also allegedly kept a tenant’s $4,200 security deposit on Fisk Avenue property he owned, justifying keeping the security deposit using a forged document.
Cole was previously charged with third-degree Theft by Failure to Make Required Disposition of Property Received and two counts of fourth-degree Forgery in connection with retaining $4,200 security deposit of yet another tenant and forging a lease to the victim’s school district.
Charges are merely accusations until proven in a court of law.
Cole was a police officer in Ocean Township (Monmouth County). He resigned earlier this year after the first set of charges were filed.
The accused is a real estate flipper who had allegedly forged documents regarding attorney’s fees and fake unpaid gas bills.
If convicted Cole faces up to ten years in New Jersey State Prison on the second degree charge, up to five years in state prison on each third degree charge, and up to 18 months on each of the fourth degree offenses.
“It doesn’t matter if you are a former, current or retired member of law enforcement, you will be held accountable for your actions. Your unlawful or improper actions will be discovered and prosecuted,” said Prosecutor Gramiccioni.
Anyone with information about Cole’s activities is urged to call Detective Sergeant Ryu Washburne at 1-800-533-7443.
