Hazlet Lawyer Arrested For Stealing $285,000 From Real Estate Clients

Steven H. Salami, 44, an attorney from Hazlet, was arrested Friday afternoon and charged with two counts of Misapplication of Entrusted Property, second degree crimes, and three counts of Misapplication of Entrusted Property, third degree crimes, after an investigation revealed he stole $285,000 from four victims from April, 2019 through August, 2019. Salami is a practicing attorney with a law office located in Hazlet, N.J. Salami is currently being held in the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, Freehold, pending a detention hearing, according to an announcement by Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni.

Salami is accused of taking funds from each victim for various real estate transactions and not doing to the work for which he was paid. The funds, which were given to him with the intent that they would be held in escrow for various real estate deals, were never returned to the victims. Salami’s actions resulted in missed closing dates; nullified real estate transactions; and ultimately hardship to each victim. The investigation was conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office with assistance from the Hazlet Township Police Department.

If convicted of Misapplication of Entrusted Funds, second degree crimes, Salami faces a sentence of five to ten years in a New Jersey State Prison for each count. If convicted on the third degree crimes, Salami faces a sentence of five to ten years in a New Jersey State Prison for each count.
If anyone has information or feels that they are a victim of a crime involving Steven H. Salami, please contact Sergeant Kevin Mahoney of the Monmouth County Special Prosecutions Bureau at (732) 431-7160, extension 2945.

Anyone wishing to remain anonymous, but who has information about a crime can contact Monmouth County Crime Stoppers confidential telephone tip-line by calling 1-800-671-4400; can text “MONMOUTH” plus their tip to 274637; or, they can email a tip via the website at www.monmouthcountycrimestoppers.com. Monmouth County Crime Stoppers will pay up to $5,000 for information leading to the arrest of criminals and fugitives.