Food store owner is accused of refinance scam to cheat wife

Allegedly had impostor sign as his spouse
Thursday, June 01, 2006
BY MATTHEW J. DOWLING
Star-Ledger Staff

The owner of three A&G Fine Foods stores in Somerset and Middlesex counties was charged yesterday with a $795,000 plot to refinance his Warren Township home without his wife's knowledge dur ing divorce proceedings, authorities said.

Salvatore Gramaglia, 52, used $300,000 of that cash infusion to pay debts on his Italian specialty food stores in Fords, Franklin Township and Warren Township, Somerset County Prosecutor Wayne Forrest said.

An attorney for Gramaglia's wife, Maria Gramaglia, discovered the refinancing scheme in November during the divorce proceedings in Superior Court in Somerset County and notified prosecutors, Forrest said. The home is valued at $1.3 million.

The investigation revealed that Gramaglia, who also previously owned two restaurants in Somerset County, enlisted Paula Benhayon, 56, of Union to pose as his wife and sign paperwork that approved the refinancing, Forrest said.

Gramaglia signed the documents before a notary public at his business office and sent the notary to his home on Sherwood Court in Warren Township to have his wife sign, Forrest said. Benhayon was waiting at the house and claimed to be Maria Gramaglia when the notary arrived, police said.

Benhayon showed the notary photocopies of a driver's license and passport with Maria Gramag lia's name but Benhayon's photograph, Forrest said.

The relationship between Gramaglia and Benhayon is unclear.

Gramaglia and Benhayon each were charged with second-degree theft by deception, second-degree impersonation and multiple counts of forgery and use of simulated documents. If convicted of the most serious charge, each could face up to 10 years in state prison.

Superior Court Judge Edward Coleman set bail at $50,000 for both Gramaglia and Benhayon.

Gramaglia, who previously owned Verdi's restaurant in Warren and Cafe Graziella in Hillsborough, posted the bail and was released yesterday afternoon. Benhayon was still in custody.

Matthew J. Dowling covers Somerset County courts. He may be reached at mdowling@starled ger.com or (908) 429-9925.