TRENTON - Attorney General Peter C. Harvey
announced that a New Jersey Division of
Criminal Justice “12 Most Wanted”
fugitive was arrested early today at a
Washington D.C. airport while attempting
to re-enter the United States from Brazil.
The arrest ended the 16-month fugitive
status of a Virginia lawyer charged with
laundering more than $250,000 in stolen
funds through an Atlantic City casino.
The charges, which include second degree
money laundering, resulted from the theft
of more than $436,000 from a Virginia
law firm.
Vaughn L. McKoy, Director, Division of
Criminal Justice and Thomas Auriemma,
Director, Division of Gaming Enforcement,
said that Robert Short, 38, formerly of
North First Street, Arlington, VA, had
been charged via a State Grand Jury indictment
with money laundering and receiving stolen
property. Short faces up to ten years
in state prison and a fine of up to $150,000
if convicted on both counts of the criminal
indictment.
McKoy noted that Short was listed as a
Division of Criminal Justice “12
Most Wanted Fugitive” on Nov. 21,
2003. On Feb. 19, the America’s
Most Wanted television program aired a
segment which featured Short and his flight
to avoid justice. As a result of the national
television program, the Division of Criminal
Justice - Casino Prosecutions Bureau received
information that Short was returning to
the United States from Sao Paulo, Brazil,
on March 3. Short was arrested by Dulles
Airport Police and U.S. Customs authorities
as he attempted to re-enter the country
after disembarking from a United Airlines
flight. Short was taken to the Fairfax
County (VA) jail where he will be held
pending extradition to New Jersey. Short
also faces theft and related charges in
VA.
The State Grand Jury indictment charged
that on Feb. 21, 2003, Short wired $250,000
from a personal checking account to the
Taj Mahal Casino. On Feb. 22, it is alleged
that Short arrived at the Taj Mahal Casino
and withdrew a $10,000 casino marker.
The investigation determined that Short
gambled briefly at roulette and, after
losing approximately $1,000, withdrew
the remaining $240,000 from the casino.
The investigation revealed that Short
had no gambling history at the Taj Mahal
Casino and, given the minimal gaming activity,
casino authorities notified the Division
of Gaming Enforcement of the suspicious
activity.
On March 4, 2003, law enforcement officials
from the Thomas County Sheriffs Office
in Colby, Kansas, contacted the Division
of Gaming Enforcement - State Police Casino
Investigation Bureau regarding Short.
On Feb. 26, Short’s vehicle was
stopped by Colby County Sheriffs Officers
patrolling I-70. The subsequent investigation
by the Thomas County Sheriffs office uncovered
a quantity of marijuana, hashish, a semi-automatic
handgun, and $207,000 in cash in Short’s
vehicle. Short was arrested and charged
with possession of illegal drugs and weapons
violations. Short was released from custody
on Feb. 27. The investigation next uncovered
information that Short, a lawyer and former
employee of the Law Office of Trapeni,
Romero & Morrison in Fairfax County,
VA, was wanted in VA on charges of forgery
and theft. It is alleged that Short stole
$436,000 from the Trapeni law firm.
The investigation was coordinated by the
Division of Criminal Justice - Casino
Prosecutions Bureau, the Division of Gaming
Enforcement and State Police Det. James
Pearson. Deputy Attorney General Kerry
L. Menchen of the Division of Criminal
Justice - Casino Prosecution Bureau presented
the case to the State Grand Jury. The
indictment, handed up to Mercer County
Superior Court Judge Neil H. Shuster on
Nov. 21, is assigned to the Atlantic County
Superior Court for trial. Additional investigative
support was received from the Taj Mahal
Hotel & Casino.
Additional information, including a copy
of the State Grand Jury indictment, defendant
photograph, and information on the Fugitive
Tip Line, is available via the Division
of Criminal Justice Web site at www.njdcj.org.
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