Nearly $1 Million Stolen: Former Bergen County Controller Arrested in Massive Corporate Fraud Scheme
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
North Haldon NJ, a lengthy investigation into corporate greed has culminated in the arrest of a North Haledon man accused of treating a local company like his personal piggy bank.
Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella announced on Monday that Steven C. Berger, 65, has been charged with second-degree theft by deception after allegedly misappropriating more than $878,000 from his former employer.
The Investigation: How the Alleged Scheme Unfolded
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit began digging into the company’s books in November 2024. What they found was a sophisticated and “sustained course of conduct” designed to divert massive amounts of capital into Berger’s personal accounts.
According to detectives, Berger, who served as the company’s controller, exploited his position of trust through three primary methods:
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Unauthorized Pay Raises: Berger allegedly executed a series of salary increases for himself without corporate approval.
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Shadow Bonuses: The investigation revealed discretionary bonus payments issued to himself without lawful authority.
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Credit Card Abuse: A detailed audit of financial records showed Berger used a company-issued credit card for purely personal purchases. He then allegedly used company funds to pay off the balances on his own personal credit card.
The Charges: Facing a Decade in Prison
On March 2, 2026, detectives arrested Berger in North Haledon. He now faces:
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Two counts of Second-Degree Theft by Deception (N.J.S.A. 2C:20-4a).
In New Jersey, a second-degree crime carries a potential sentence of 5 to 10 years in state prison if convicted. Berger was remanded to the Bergen County Jail in Hackensack pending his first appearance in Superior Court.
“The charges are merely an accusation, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt,” Prosecutor Musella reminded the public, while also thanking the North Haledon Police Department for their assistance in the case.
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Released 3/3/2026
Nobody stays in jail, please stop saying they were remanded to the Bergen County Jail.