A Bergen County-based real estate promoter who built an online following by pitching fast profits has been indicted on federal charges accusing him of defrauding investors, laundering drug proceeds and bribing a local officials.
Cesar Humberto Pina, known online as “Flipping NJ,” faces multiple counts, including wire fraud, money laundering conspiracy and bribery tied to a federally funded program.
Federal investigators say Pina promised investors big returns through property deals in New Jersey and other states. Prosecutors allege he used new investors’ money to pay earlier backers in what they describe as a Ponzi-like operation.
Authorities also claim Pina moved money tied to narcotics sales and paid bribes to secure help for a real estate project in Paterson. One bribe allegedly involved cash payments to influence zoning board approvals.
Pina built his following partly through real estate seminars co-hosted with radio personality DJ Envy. DJ Envy, whose legal name is Rashaun Casey, has denied wrongdoing in an unrelated civil suit.
Pina could face decades in prison if convicted. His initial court date has not been set.
Federal agents credited multiple agencies with investigating the case, including the DEA, FBI, IRS Criminal Investigation, and U.S. Postal Inspection Service.
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