New Jersey Real Estate Investor and Online Influencer Admits to Committing Multi-Million Dollar Investment Fraud Scheme, Laundering Drug Proceeds, and Bribing a New Jersey[...]

NEWARK, N.J. - Cesar Humberto Pina, a/k/a "Flipping NJ," of Franklin Lakes, New Jersey, pleaded guilty to committing a multi-million dollar real estate investment fraud scheme, laundering money for drug traffickers, and bribing a New Jersey politician, U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer announced.

Pina, 48, pleaded guilty today before the Honorable Madeline Cox Arleo in Newark to a four-count Superseding Information charging him with one count of wire fraud, one count of money laundering conspiracy, one count of bribery of an agent of a program receiving federal funds, and one count of travel act bribery. He is scheduled to be sentenced on March 10, 2027.

"Cesar Pina admitted to misappropriating millions of dollars meant for real estate investments, laundering cash for narcotics traffickers, and bribing a politician in furtherance of real estate projects. It is hard to imagine a more varied spate of criminal activity, which robbed investors of their life savings, helped facilitate drug trafficking, and undermined confidence in our elected officials. As this prosecution demonstrates, this Office will continue to work with our law enforcement partners to root out and prosecute complex schemes of all types."

- U.S. Attorney Robert Frazer

"This case demonstrates how drug trafficking can intersect with financial crime and corruption, allowing criminals to exploit legitimate businesses and undermine public trust for personal gain," said DEA New Jersey Field Division Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James. "We will follow the money, dismantle the financial networks that fuel drug trafficking, and hold accountable everyone who helps these criminals profit from their illegal activities. Through strong enforcement and close coordination with our law enforcement partners, we will ensure those who facilitate the drug trade are brought to justice."

"Postal Inspectors, working alongside our law enforcement partners, remain committed to investigating complex financial fraud schemes that victimize innocent investors and result in devasting financial losses," said Inspector in Charge Christopher Nielsen of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service. "Financial fraud schemes such as these can devastate victims and their hard-earned savings. Those who use the U.S. Mail to facilitate fraudulent schemes to exploit the public for personal financial gain will be held accountable for their actions."

"Pina lured in victims and exploited their trust by using his online influencer persona. Not only did he steal millions of dollars from investors, but he also laundered money for drug traffickers and bribed a politician along the way," said FBI Newark Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy. "Complex schemes like this demand strong, coordinated partnerships, and FBI Newark will tirelessly work alongside our federal, state, and local counterparts to protect investors and hold accountable those who abuse the public trust."

"Pina turned promises of real estate profits into a vehicle for fraud, while laundering drug proceeds and paying bribes to advance his own interests," said Jenifer L. Piovesan, Special Agent in Charge of IRS Criminal Investigation's Newark Field Office. "Behind these financial transactions are real victims-investors whose trust was betrayed and communities harmed by drug trafficking and corruption. IRS Criminal Investigation and our law enforcement partners will continue to follow the money, unravel complex financial schemes, and hold accountable those who profit at the public's expense."

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:

Pina partnered with a celebrity disc jockey and radio personality to conduct real estate seminars around the country. Through these seminars, self-promotional efforts, and other marketing strategies, Pina developed a significant social media following. Starting in at least 2017, Pina began accepting investments from individual investors for the alleged purchase, remodel, and sale of specific real estate properties in New Jersey and other states. To induce investors, Pina often promised 30% or higher returns on investments within 4 to 5 months. But instead of using investors' funds as promised, Pina commingled and misappropriated investors' money, including by using new investor funds to pay off prior investors in a Ponzi-like scheme and spending investor funds on unauthorized business and personal expenditures. Pina fraudulently obtained and misappropriated millions of dollars through this scheme.

Pina also conspired to launder illicit funds, including from the sale of controlled substances, for various individuals he knew were engaged in narcotics trafficking and other criminal activities.

In addition, Pina bribed a local official of Paterson, New Jersey in connection with real estate-related projects in Paterson. For example, Pina provided cash and other bribes to the official in exchange for official action, assistance, and influence in connection with Pina's "Old School 5" development project, which had pending applications before the Paterson Zoning Board of Adjustment.

The charge of wire fraud carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

The charge of money laundering conspiracy carries a maximum penalty of twenty years in prison and a fine of $500,000 or twice the value of the property involved in the transaction, whichever is greater.

The charge of bribery concerning programs receiving federal funds carries a maximum penalty of ten years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

The charge of the use of facilities in interstate commerce to facilitate unlawful activity under state law, namely bribery, carries a maximum penalty of five years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross amount of any pecuniary gain that any persons derived from the offense or of any pecuniary loss sustained by any victims of the offense, whichever is greatest.

U.S. Attorney Frazer credited special agents of the U.S. Attorney's Office for the District of New Jersey, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Matthew Maltese; special agents and task force officers of the U.S. Drug Enforcement Administration, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Towanda R. Thorne-James in Newark; postal inspectors of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service in Newark, under the direction of Christopher A. Nielsen, Philadelphia Division; special agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Stefanie Roddy in Newark; and special agents and task force officers of the Internal Revenue Service - Criminal Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Jenifer L. Piovesan in Newark with the investigation leading to the charges. He also thanked the Franklin Lakes Police Department for its assistance in the investigation.

The government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Carolyn Silane, Chief of the Economic Crimes Unit; Edeli Rivera, Co-Chief of the General Crimes Unit; Aaron Webman, Chief of the Cybercrimes Unit; and Marko Pesce, Deputy Chief of the Criminal Division in Newark.

###

Defense counsel: Gerald Krovatin, Esq., Newark, NJ