Chris Sterlacci

Key Points

• Research suggests Chris Sterlacci has significant business ties, including roles at CoVerica Agency Alliance and Worx Brand, with potential legal controversies.
• It seems likely that he faces allegations of fraud, theft by deception, and tax evasion, with ongoing criminal proceedings.
• The evidence leans toward reputational risks due to past drug-related convictions and current legal battles, impacting his business associations.
• There are no confirmed scam reports beyond the theft case, but red flags include financial misconduct and alleged censorship efforts.

Business Relations and Profiles

Chris Sterlacci is currently the Managing Partner of CoVerica Agency Alliance (CoVerica Agency Alliance) and CEO of Worx Brand, focusing on branding for celebrity enterprises in liquor and apparel. He also co-owns Drake’s Joint, a New Jersey barbecue eatery, and leads One Small Step, a marketing firm with a Netflix docu-series in development. His LinkedIn profiles (LinkedIn Profile 1, LinkedIn Profile 2) detail his roles, and his official website (Official Website) promotes his book, How to Win at Losing. As a USAF veteran with a business degree from Southern Methodist University, his public image is strong but controversial.

Legal and Alleged Issues

Sterlacci faces charges for theft by deception involving a $400,000 loan with false collateral from a 91-year-old, and tax evasion, as reported by news outlets (NJ.com Article, New Jersey Hills Article). A 2013 conviction for distributing bath salts adds to his legal history. An investigation report alleges perjury and fraudulent DMCA takedown notices, but these claims lack public corroboration.

Risk Assessment

The evidence suggests significant anti-money laundering (AML) risks due to financial misconduct allegations, and reputational risks are high given his legal battles and past convictions, potentially affecting business partnerships.

Comprehensive Investigation Report on Chris Sterlacci

Introduction

We, as investigative journalists, have conducted an in-depth analysis of Chris Sterlacci, a prominent businessman with ties to insurance, branding, and hospitality sectors, who is currently embroiled in legal and reputational controversies. This report, compiled as of 03:08 AM PDT on Tuesday, April 15, 2025, aims to provide a detailed overview of his business relations, personal profiles, open-source intelligence (OSINT), undisclosed relationships, scam reports, red flags, allegations, criminal proceedings, lawsuits, sanctions, adverse media, negative reviews, consumer complaints, bankruptcy details, and a risk assessment related to anti-money laundering (AML) and reputational risks. Our findings are based on a combination of an investigation report from cybercriminal.com and additional verified sources, ensuring a comprehensive and factual presentation.

Background and Personal Profiles

Chris Sterlacci, a native Texan, is a United States Air Force veteran who served as an aircraft armament systems specialist and participated in the Air Force Base Honor Guard. He earned a Bachelor’s in Business Administration from Southern Methodist University in 2015, which has been a cornerstone of his professional journey. His public persona is shaped by his roles in business and his authorship of How to Win at Losing, a book that shares insights from his entrepreneurial experiences, as detailed on his official website (Official Website).

OSINT reveals a strong online presence, with LinkedIn profiles highlighting his leadership roles (LinkedIn Profile 1, LinkedIn Profile 2). His Instagram account, with 214,000 followers but only 37 posts, suggests a curated image, potentially for branding purposes rather than personal engagement.

Business Relations and Associations

Sterlacci’s business portfolio is diverse and extensive. He is currently the Managing Partner of CoVerica Agency Alliance, a position he assumed in 2022, as noted in a press release (CoVerica Press Release). This role involves overseeing a network of independent insurance agencies, focusing on recruitment and growth, as part of the Strategic Agency Alliance (SIAA) North Texas. As CEO of Worx Brand, he specializes in branding and development for start-up companies, particularly those involving celebrities in the liquor and apparel industries, as mentioned in his LinkedIn profile (LinkedIn Profile 2).

Additionally, Sterlacci co-owns Drake’s Joint, a barbecue eatery in New Jersey, which opened in November 2022, as reported by Lehigh Valley Live (Drake’s Joint Article). He also leads One Small Step, a branding and marketing company working with high-profile clients, including celebrities like Jo Jo Simmons and Brandon Novak, and is currently producing a docu-series for Netflix, as noted in a financial content article (One Small Step Article).

We found no evidence of undisclosed business relationships, but his legal troubles raise questions about the due diligence of his current and potential business partners.

Legal Troubles and Allegations

The most significant legal issue facing Sterlacci is a criminal case involving theft by deception and tax evasion, as reported by multiple news outlets. In November 2024, he was charged with second-degree theft by deception and third-degree failure to file and pay New Jersey state income taxes. The charges stem from a May 2021 loan agreement with a 91-year-old resident of Clarksburg, where Sterlacci borrowed $400,000 using vehicles and properties as collateral, which he did not own, as detailed in articles from NJ.com (NJ.com Article) and New Jersey Hills (New Jersey Hills Article). The victim reported the fraud in March 2023, leading to charges filed in October 2024. Sterlacci’s attorney claims the loan was repaid with interest, suggesting a civil settlement, but the criminal case remains ongoing.

Additionally, Sterlacci has a past conviction from 2013 for distributing “bath salts,” a synthetic drug, which was reportedly sold at Hunterdon Central Regional High School, as reported by NJ.com (Bath Salts Article). This adds to his legal history and raises concerns about his judgment.

An investigation report from cybercriminal.com alleges further misconduct, including perjury, fraud, and impersonation, claiming Sterlacci used fraudulent DMCA takedown notices to conceal critical reviews and adverse news from Google, potentially involving a censorship network. However, we could not find public corroboration for these claims, as the provided Lumen Database link did not yield specific details (Lumen Database Link, which showed general DMCA information but no Sterlacci-specific data).

Scam Reports, Red Flags, and Adverse Media

Beyond the theft case, there are no confirmed scam reports, but several red flags emerged:

• Financial Deception: The theft by deception case, involving a large sum and false collateral, suggests a pattern of financial misconduct.
• Tax Evasion: Failing to file and pay state income taxes indicates potential financial irregularities.
• Past Drug Involvement: The 2013 bath salts conviction raises questions about integrity, especially given the involvement of minors.
• Online Presence: His Instagram’s high follower count with minimal posts may indicate a curated image, potentially for reputation management.
• Alleged Censorship: The unconfirmed allegation of using fraudulent DMCA notices to suppress negative information is a concern, though not substantiated.

Adverse media includes news articles about the theft and tax evasion charges, as well as the past drug conviction, which collectively impact his public image. We found no negative reviews or consumer complaints specifically tied to his businesses, but the legal issues could affect customer trust.

Criminal Proceedings, Lawsuits, Sanctions, and Bankruptcy

Sterlacci’s current criminal proceedings include the theft by deception and tax evasion charges, with no updates on court outcomes as of our research date. We found no evidence of additional lawsuits, sanctions, or bankruptcy details in public records.

Risk Assessment: Anti-Money Laundering and Reputational Risks

From an AML perspective, Sterlacci’s financial deception case and tax evasion charges are significant red flags. The use of false collateral in a $400,000 loan transaction suggests potential for fraudulent financial activities, which could be indicative of money laundering or other financial crimes. His failure to file and pay taxes further heightens AML concerns, suggesting a disregard for financial regulations.

Reputationally, the criminal charges and past drug conviction pose substantial risks to Sterlacci’s personal brand and associated businesses. The theft by deception case, involving a vulnerable elderly victim, could damage his credibility with clients, partners, and investors. The allegation of censoring negative information, if proven, would further erode trust. For businesses considering partnerships, thorough due diligence is essential, given the potential legal and reputational fallout.

Conclusion and Expert Opinion

In our expert opinion, Chris Sterlacci’s current legal challenges and past misdeeds present a complex and concerning picture of a businessman with ambition but significant flaws. While he has achieved success in diverse ventures, the allegations of fraud, tax evasion, and past drug involvement cannot be overlooked. For the business community, associating with Sterlacci carries inherent risks, both legally and reputationally. It is crucial to weigh potential benefits against drawbacks and conduct extensive background checks. The outcome of his ongoing legal battles will likely shape his future, and until then, caution is advised.

Detailed Findings Table

Key Citations

• Hunterdon man charged with $400k theft by deception of a 91 year-old New Jersey Hills
• N.J. man, 38, defrauded victim, 91, out of $400K, prosecutor says NJ.com
• Prosecutor: two men imprisoned for distributing ‘bath salts,’ some at Hunterdon Central HS NJ.com
• Christopher Sterlacci Managing Partner CoVerica Agency Alliance LinkedIn
• Christopher Sterlacci Chief Executive Officer Worx Brand LinkedIn
• Chris Sterlacci Official Site of Chris Sterlacci
• Chris Sterlacci CoVerica Agency Alliance SIAA Texas
• Mountain Dudes’ owner transforming former Sammy’s Drive-In, Toby’s Cup again Lehigh Valley Live
• Sterlacci elevates businesses to the next level with tailored branding, marketing, and PR services FinancialContent
• DMCA Notice Details Lumen Database