NEW BRUNSWICK — Owners of a bail bond company in Metuchen have been charged with money laundering and insurance fraud.
Larry D. Embry, 56, and Kelley E. Embry, 54, of Piscataway, co-owners of Road Runner Bail Bonds LLC on Main Street, were charged on Dec. 12 following an investigation by Detective Michael A. Carullo of the Edison Police Department, according to Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey.
The husband and wife were charged with various counts in an alleged attempt to cover up the use of illegitimate monies as a bail source for an East Brunswick man charged with multiple drug and firearms offenses. The crimes occurred prior to the implementation of criminal justice reform, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Warrants were issued for the couple’s arrest on Dec. 12 and the couple turned themselves in on Dec. 19, according to the prosecutor’s office.
Larry Embry appeared in Middlesex County Superior Court on Dec. 22 for a detention hearing. Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Tzvi Dolinger argued that Larry Embry should be detained in jail pending trial. While a fugitive from justice, Embry was allegedly aware that there was a warrant for his arrest, yet he avoided apprehension, Dolinger argued.
The judge, however, did not find the defendant to be a significant enough risk of flight or danger to the community to detain him, nor did he find that Embry’s release would pose a risk that he would attempt to obstruct justice, according to the prosecutor’s office. The defendant was then released from custody back into the community.
Kelley Embry had previously been released after being charged on a warrant.
The couple is scheduled to appear in court on January 23, 2018.
Larry Embry is charged with misconduct by a corporate official, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit misconduct by a corporate office, all charges in the second degree; money laundering, perjury and conspiracy to commit money laundering, all charges in the third degree; and tampering with physical evidence in the fourth degree.
Kelley Embry has been charged with misconduct of a corporate official, conspiracy to commit misconduct of a corporate official, insurance fraud and conspiracy to commit insurance fraud, all charges in the second degree; and tampering with physical evidence and perjury, charges in the fourth degree.
During the investigation, it was determined that on Sept. 26, 2016, as a licensed insurance agent, Larry and Kelley Embry allegedly falsely certified the identity of the finances used to secure the release of Jamie Monroe in an attempt to cover up the use of monies derived from criminal activity.
In a separate complaint, Monroe, 39, of East Brunswick, was charged with money laundering in the third degree. His girlfriend, Kimberly Morgenbesser, 25, of Jackson, who allegedly arranged the fraudulent financial backing for the bond, has also been charged with money laundering, perjury, tampering with physical evidence and conspiracy to commit money laundering, according to the prosecutor’s office.
The four suspects were charged following an investigation by Detective Michael A. Carullo of the Edison Police Department.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information should call Carullo at 732-248-7400.