Story by Ethan
On October 17th, 2025, the arrest of Alicia Rivera, Lorena Rivera, George Garavito, ages 55, 30, and 34, was announced by Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel. Alicia Rivea, Lorena Rivera, and George Garavito were charged with second-degree Theft by Deception, second-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking, second-degree Conspiracy to Commit Theft, third-degree Falsifying Records, third-degree Tampering With Public Records, and fourth-degree False Swearing. The arrest and charges against Alicia Rivera, Lorena Rivera, George Garavito were a result of an investigation handled by Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit Assistant Prosecutor James Brady and Detective Jessica Tattoli.
According to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, the three defendants allegedly submitted false documentation to the Union County Housing Assistance Payments Program to receive fraudulent housing assistance. The alleged false reports continued to be filed over a time period of five years, in addition to other supposed false claims in order to receive enhanced housing benefits of over $80,000 unlawfully given to them. Alicia Rivera and Lorena Rivera were located and arraigned in Elizabeth, New Jersey, while George Garavito was located in Indiana and is currently awaiting extradition.
The Union County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Alicia Rivera, Lorena Rivera, and George Garavito are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
