Former Belmar Man Pleads Guilty To Wire Fraud

NEWARK - The former chief financial officer of a New Jersey orthopedic care provider recently pleaded guilty to stealing over $1 million from the company for his personal use, Acting U.S. Attorney William E. Fitzpatrick announced.
Harry Wolfmuller, 70, formerly of Belmar, admitted before U.S. District Judge Claire C. Cecchi in Newark federal court to an information charging him with one count of wire fraud.

Wolfmuller worked as the chief financial officer for "Company A," an orthopedic care provider in Ocean and Monmouth counties, from 2007 through 2015. He controlled the company's bank accounts and financial records, according to the Attorney General's Office.

Wolfmuller cashed checks from Company A’s business accounts to pay for unapproved personal expenses, including restaurant meals, golf, gambling and lottery tickets.

Wolfmuller then "misrepresented" the transactions in Company A’s accounting records to make them appear as legitimate business expenses. Company A lost approximately $1,175,720 as a result of Wolfmuller’s conduct, authorities said.

The wire fraud charge carries a maximum potential penalty of 20 years in prison and a $250,000 fine, or twice the gain or loss from the offense. Wolfmuller agreed to pay $1,175,720 in restitution as part of the plea agreement.

He is slated to be sentenced on March 13, 2018.

Fitzpatrick credited special agents of the FBI, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Timothy Gallagher in Newark, with the investigation.

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