nj-attorney-general-9-11-hoax-mark-niemczyk-thomas-scalgione.JPG

Thomas Scalgione (left), 41, of the Manahawkin section of Stafford, and Mark Niemczyk, 67, of Tinton Falls, admitted today in state court to running a hoax 9/11 charity to steal money.

(N.J. Attorney General's Office)

TRENTON — Two New Jersey men admitted today to running a fake 9/11 charity that collected thousands of dollars by selling T-shirts and soliciting donations, only to use the money to line their own pockets, state authorities said.

Mark Niemczyk, 67, of Tinton Falls, and Thomas Scalgione, 41, of the Manahawkin section of Stafford, each admitted to a charge of theft by deception before state Superior Court Judge James Blaney in Ocean County.

As part of the plea bargain, state prosecutors will recommend Niemczyk be sentenced to about a year in county jail and probation, and that Scalgione be sentenced to probation. Scalgione will also face jail time for violating parole on an unrelated charge.

According to the state, Niemczyk in 2010 bought a pickup truck and had it custom-painted with 9/11 themes, including the World Trade Center towers, the logos of the New York City police and fire departments, and the names of those who died in the attacks.

The pair then worked together to bring the truck to 9/11 events in New Jersey and elsewhere, where they sold T-shirts and collected donations. Scalgione acted as the "public relations" person to arrange their participation in 9/11 events.

The men told people that proceeds from sales and the donations would benefit families of 9/11 victims or 9/11 charity organizations, but authorities said instead thousands of dollars were deposited into their bank accounts and used to pay personal expenses.

The plea bargain also requires Niemczyk and Scalgione to comply with a civil judgment ordering them to pay more than $120,000, including their proceeds as well as civil penalties, attorneys' fees and investigative costs.

RELATED COVERAGE

• Hoax 9/11 charity ordered to repay $121K in donations

• More Crime Coverage

FOLLOW THE STAR-LEDGER: TWITTER | FACEBOOK | GOOGLE+