Ex-Cop Charged With Theft, Forgery In Brielle: Prosecutor

FREEHOLD – A former Ocean Township police officer was charged last week with submitting a forged document to secure a $425,000 loan so he could purchase a property on Borrie Avenue in Brielle in July 2019, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

He was charged with theft by deception and two counts of forgery after keeping a tenant’s $4,200 security deposit connected to another property on Fisk Avenue in Brielle, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced.

Cory R. Cole, 49, of Brielle retained the $4,200 security deposit from the tenant after forging a lease.

If convicted, Cole faces up to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison on the second degree charge, up to five years in state prison on each third degree charge, and up to 18 months on each of the fourth degree offenses.

An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office revealed that Cole, who buys, flips and rents real estate, forged a letter from his former matrimonial attorney in order to falsely establish a judgment she had against him for unpaid attorney’s fees had been satisfied.

He attempted to justify retaining the security deposit by claiming the tenants owed money in unpaid utility bills on the property, he said.

Cole resigned from his employment with the Ocean Township Police Department earlier this year on the heels of the investigation after the initial set of criminal charges were filed.

Anyone with information about Cole’s activities is urged to call Detective Sergeant Ryu Washburne at 1-800-533-7443.