Updated: Somerset Man Charged With 2nd Degree Theft from Cultural Organization Indicted

Girishcha Patel
Photo: Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

A 58-year-old Somerset man was indicted Dec. 13 by a Somerset County Grand Jury on a charge that he stole more than $85,000 from the Federation of Gujarati Associations in North America.

Girishcha Patel was arrested on Sept. 21 and charged with 2nd-Degree theft, according to an October 22 release from the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Police said Patel was the treasurer of the cultural organization from 2004 through 2012. Between Jan. 1, 2006 and March 31, 2012, Patel allegedly improperly withdrew $85,844 from the organization’s bank accounts, police said.

Authorities said Patel was the only person who had access to the accounts.

The investigation involved subpoenaed bank records, allegedly tampered bank statements Patel sent to organization officials, allegedly falsified financial reports, an alleged fictitious bank account number and emails police said were sent by Patel, “expressing his intent to repay the money taken.”

Patel was remanded to the Somerset County Jail, Somerset, in lieu of $75,000 cash bail.

Authorities ask that anyone who has additional information about the case call the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office Special Investigation’s Unit at (908) 231-7100, or the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at (888) 577-TIPS (8477) or online at www.888577tips.org or www.scpo.net and click on either “Crime Stoppers” or “TIPS HOTLINE”.  All calls are confidential.

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