During that time, 34-year-old Anthony Armatys collected about
$470,000, police say.
The catch? Armatys never worked for Avaya, a communications
company based in Basking Ridge, N.J.
Around 7 a.m. Wednesday, Armatys was arrested at his home on
Flake Drive and charged with one count of theft by deception for knowingly
accepting paychecks for a job he never had.
Authorities said the deception dates back to 2002, when Armatys
was offered a position with Avaya, which he accepted. But he backed out before
actually starting the job, said Wayne Forrest, the Somerset County prosecutor
in New Jersey.
Wednesday's arrest came after an 11-month investigation by New
Jersey detectives.
It started when Avaya auditors discovered the payroll checks
being deposited into Armatys' account as part of a system error.
New Jersey authorities said their probe also found that Armatys
had withdrawn about $2,000 from an employee retirement savings account to
which Avaya had contributed.
Authorities said Armatys claimed to be an Avaya employee when he
called Fidelity Investments, which administered the fund, to set up the
transfer of the money into his personal account.
"I've been in this business now over 30 years and I don't recall
a case with facts like this," said Forrest. "This is highly unusual."
Bail was set at $50,000 and Armatys is awaiting extradition to
New Jersey.
Palatine police would not discuss the case.
A woman who answered the phone at a number listed for Tony
Armatys at the Flake Drive address said the family had "no comment at
all."
