SAYREVILLE – The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office has gone to court for the forfeiture of more than $3.5 million in assets, including two properties, 11 vehicles and $687,902 in gold and silver coins, from the family that ran Club 35.
The prosecutor’s office also wants the forfeiture of $651,398.26 from the bank account of a Club 35 dancer that she allegedly earned through prostitution.
The prosecutor’s office move to seize the assets of Anthony Acciardi Sr., 58, his wife Doreen Acciardi, 55, both Freehold residents, son Anthony Acciardi Jr., 29, of Old Bridge, and son Stephen Acciardi, 24, of Freehold, came after the June 22 announcement of charges of money laundering in excess of $500,000, promoting organized street crime, promoting prostitution, conspiracy, maintaining a house of prostitution, operating a sexually oriented business that is a nuisance, and failing to file a state income tax. Daughter, Angela Mancini, 32, of Colts Neck, was charged with money laundering and conspiracy. All have pleaded not guilty.
The prosecutor’s office investigation revealed more than $10 million was moved through several businesses and bank accounts, including Club 35 LLC, Acciboys LLC and SA Cedar Street Corp. which operates Danny Boy's Irish Pub in South Amboy, according to the lawsuit seeking the forfeiture.
The investigation started in May 2019 when the Sayreville Police Department began receiving information that prostitution and drug dealing were occurring inside the club, according to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Middlesex County.
For the next two years the police department continued to regularly receive tips that club dancers were offering sexual favors in exchange for money, the lawsuit says.
As part of the investigation, undercover Sayreville officers went into the club. One officer was solicited by two women who told him the costs for various types of sexual favors, the suit says.
Earlier:Sayreville strip club hit with money laundering, prostitution charges
The officer was also told, according to the lawsuit, that the dancers keep only a portion of the money but give the rest to “the house.” A dancer also told the undercover officer that she could sell drugs inside the club, the suit says.
That led to the Sayreville Police Department obtaining a search warrant. The May 10, 2021 search found a vending machine in a locker room that dispensed condoms, sexual toys and lubricant inside lockers, a used condom in the VIP area and a large bag with about 700 condoms, the lawsuit says.
During the search, two dancers told police about the open area of the club where clothed lap dances occurred and more private settings where nude lap dances were given, the lawsuit says.
Officers also found by the VIP area a log sheet with dancers’ names, amount of VIP time and the money spent for it, the suit says.
During the search, the lawsuit alleges, Jennifer Hecker, 43, of Parlin, came out of the VIP area completely nude with a male patron who was partially dressed.
Officers searching the club also found $6,145.41 in Hecker’s purse as well as unused condoms and bank receipts, according to the lawsuit.
At the time, Hecker said that money was her life savings, the lawsuit says, though bank receipts indicated she had more than $600,000 in an account.
Based on evidence that Hecker’s “only source of income was prostitution,” the police department received a court order to seize the bank account which had increased from $67,482.70 in 2013 to $651,398.26 primarily though cash deposits in ATM deposits on the same day and consecutive days, according to the suit.
Hecker has also been charged with money laundering and filing a false state tax return. She has pleaded not guilty.
Hecker has also denied the charges in the lawsuit brought by the prosecutor’s office. She has hired David Fassett, a lawyer whose clients have included Michele Lodzinski and Amy Locane, to represent her.
Two others were charged after the May 2021 raid. Club manager Jason Portes and another employee, Jeanine Nichols, were charged with maintaining a house of prostitution, promoting prostitution and operating a sex business within 1,000 feet of a church or school. They have also pleaded not guilty.
The investigation into the club continued for another year before the charges were brought against members of the Acciardi family. Also participating in the investigation were the state Division of Alcohol Beverage Control, the state Office of Criminal Investigations, the state Treasury Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office is looking to seize two properties, each with an estimated $1 million value, at 6330 Main St. and 541 Oak St., both in Sayreville.
Also sought for seizure are $282,960 in gold coins and $297,301.50 in silver coins from Anthony Sr. and Doreen Acciardi, and $46,760 in gold coins and $60,880.50 in silver coins from Anthony Acciardi Jr.
The prosecutor’s office is also looking to seize $142,392 in currency from Anthony Sr. and Doreen Acciardi and $117,949 from Anthony Acciardi Jr.
In addition, the prosecutor’s office has listed 11 vehicles with a total value of $570,000 to be seized, nine registered to Doreen Acciardi and two registered to Anthony Acciardi Sr. The vehicles include a Maserati, a Porsche Cayenne, a Land Rover, a BMW and two Mercedes.
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get unlimited access to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.