Federal Prosecutors charged a Gloucester County man with allegedly sending tens of thousands of invoices to schools for math and language books that didn't exist.
Robert Armstrong was arrested Thursday and charged with one count of mail fraud. The 44-year-old Franklinville resident made an initial appearance Thursday in federal court in Camden.
The U.S. attorney's office alleges Armstrong sent fraudulent invoices to more than 70,000 schools seeking payment for book orders totaling more than $600 each. Numerous schools sent money to Armstrong's company.
Investigators say more than $280,000 was seized from Armstrong's bank accounts, and a pending warrant seeks to recover another $45,000.
Armstrong's attorney says the 44-year-old married father of two denies any fraudulent intent in the transactions.
Mail fraud carries a maximum potential prison sentence of 20 years.
