Philip Sellinger, the U.S. Attorney for the District of New Jersey, announced criminal charges Friday against Caz Craffy of Colts Neck in a fraud case that allegedly targeted Gold Star families in the state. Craffy was charged with six counts of wire fraud and one count each of securities fraud, among other charges.

“The families of our fallen service members have laid the dearest sacrifice on the altar of freedom,” Sellinger said. “They must be off-limits for fraudsters. But, as the indictment alleges, this defendant took advantage of his role as an Army financial counselor to prey upon these families, using lies and deception to steer their investments in a way that would make him money.”

U.S. Attorney General Merrick B. Garland, said, “As alleged in the indictment, the defendant in this case used his position as an Army financial counselor to defraud Gold Star families, steal their money, and enrich himself. Predatory conduct that targets the families of fallen American service members will be met with the full force of the Justice Department.”