City man faces identity theft charges Prosecutor's Office uncovers $155,000 credit card scam Larry Kushner Larry Kushner, 55, of Long Branch, was arrested by detectives from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Feb. 9 on complaints charging him with second-degree identity theft, third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card and fourth-degree false statements made in procuring a credit card. Bail was set by Superior Court Judge Paul F. Chaiet at $250,000 no 10 percent. If convicted on all charges, Kushner could face a state prison sentence of up to 16 1/2 years. According to the Prosecutor's office, in April 2006, information was received that Kushner had obtained four credit cards using the personal information of an acquaintance he had solicited to participate in a real estate investment venture. The ensuing investigation conducted by the Prosecutor's Office, Special Prosecutions Bureau, revealed that between 2003 through 2005, Kushner had fraudulently charged over $155,000 to those credit cards. Many of the credit card charges were in connection with trips Kushner made to Florida, Chicago and Israel. Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin stated in a press release, "This case underscores the serious threat that identity theft poses. It is a significant priority of this office to vigorously investigate and prosecute financial and consumer fraud perpetrated against the residents of Monmouth County." Notwithstanding these formal charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the U.S. Constitution and state law. The was case assigned to Assistant Prosecutor Thomas F. Fichter.