September 19, 2011
Office of The Attorney General
– Paula T. Dow, Attorney General
Division of Criminal Justice
– Stephen J. Taylor, Director
Media Inquiries-
Peter Aseltine or
Rachel Goemaat
609-292-4791
Citizen Inquiries-
609-292-4925
President of Elizabeth School Board & Two Others Charged with Stealing from Elizabeth School District’s Free Lunch Program
TRENTON – Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that the president of the Elizabeth School Board, a City of Elizabeth employee, and the husband of the Head of Custodians for the Elizabeth School District were arrested this morning and charged with defrauding the Elizabeth School District’s free lunch program. The program provides free and low-cost nutritious lunches for students who cannot otherwise afford them.
The following people were charged by complaint this morning with third-degree theft by deception and third-degree tampering with public records or information:
According to Director Taylor, Munn, Abitanto and Lucio each allegedly falsified information on applications for the Elizabeth Public Schools Free and Reduced Price School Meals Program, which led to the theft of a total of more than $7,000 in free or low-cost lunches. All three were arrested early this morning at their homes by detectives of the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption North Unit. They were processed at the State Police Newark Station and released.
“It is deeply troubling that the president of the Elizabeth School Board and the spouses of two other high-level district officials were allegedly stealing from a program intended to ensure that disadvantaged children get the nutritious lunches that they need to thrive in school,” said Attorney General Dow. “We will not tolerate this type of abuse of a publicly funded assistance program by school district insiders.”
“We allege that the three individuals charged today exploited the federally subsidized school lunch program by lying about their family incomes to obtain free lunches for their children,” said Director Taylor. “Our investigation into fraud in this program is ongoing.”
It is alleged that on five occasions from 2006 to 2011, Munn falsified information on school lunch applications which resulted in the theft of $3,946 worth of free lunches for her two children. For example, on at least one application, Munn allegedly falsified her weekly income and omitted her husband’s salary completely.
By falsifying applications from 2006 to 2011 for free lunches, Abitanto allegedly wrongfully obtained $2,169 worth of free lunches for his child. An investigation determined that Abitanto allegedly falsified his salary information.
Lastly, it is alleged that on three occasions from 2008 to 2011, Lucio falsified applications and wrongfully obtained $899 worth of free lunches for her two children.
The investigation was launched by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau after an article in The Star-Ledger revealed that the children of officials in the Elizabeth school district were improperly participating in the federally subsidized school lunch program despite household incomes that exceeded the limits for eligibility.
Because the charges are indictable offenses, this case is subject to presentation to a grand jury for potential indictment. The charges are merely accusations and the defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty. Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a $15,000 fine.
Detective Lisa King of the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption North Unit and Deputy Attorney General Mark Ondris of the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau conducted and coordinated the investigation. They were assisted by Detective Pablo Castro of the State Police Official Corruption North Unit. The case has been assigned to Deputy Attorney General Ondris for prosecution.
Attorney General Dow and Director Taylor noted that the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau has established a toll-free Corruption Tipline 1-866-TIPS-4CJ for the public to report corruption, financial crime and other illegal activities. Additionally, the public can log on to the Division of Criminal Justice Web page at www.njdcj.org to report suspected wrongdoing. All information received through the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Tipline or Web page will remain confidential.
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