Police captain stole stole $43,000 from Edison, cops say

A now-retired Edison police captain was charged Thursday with illegally using sick leave to collect more than $43,000 from the town while working at another job.

Natale A. Fresco, 55, of Edison has been charged with third degree theft, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief Thomas J. Bryan said in a press release.

According to authorities, an investigation showed that Fresco was working as the security director at Menlo Park Mall from July 15 to Sept. 30 of this year. During that time, he was also collecting sick pay from the township, where he worked.

The investigation was conducted by Detective Nicholas Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office. Chiorello found that Fresco, who went by the nickname “Andy,” "collected more than $43,000 before retiring on Oct. 1, 2015."

“This office consistently investigates and prosecutes theft and corruption cases,”  Carey said in the press release. “We will remain diligent in our efforts to target such behavior and we will seek restitution for the taxpayers wherever possible.”

The investigation is active and is continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at 732-745-3300.

Toniann Antonelli is the digital managing editor at NJ 101.5. Reach her at toniann.antonelli@townsquaremedia.com, or on Twitter @ToniRadio1015.