Buena Vista tax collector sentenced for stealing cash - NBC40.net

A Buena Vista Township Deputy Tax Collector was sentenced to probation, forfeiture of public employment and restitution for official misconduct in connection with stealing cash from the Tax Collector's Office, acting Atlantic County Prosecutor Jim McClain announced.

On June 29, 2012, detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Official Corruption Unit charged Brenda Adkins, 46, of Mays Landing, with official misconduct and theft in connection with stealing cash that had been paid to the Township by a taxpayer.

Adkins was processed and released on a summons to appear in court. In April of 2012, an investigation was initiated by the Prosecutor's office after Buena Vista Township Officials reported missing funds from the Tax Collectors Office. During the course of the investigation, Official Corruption detectives learned that approximately $1,156.52 was paid in cash by a taxpayer on March 16, 2011, but had never been deposited into the tax bank account.

The money was later discovered in the desk drawer of Deputy Tax Collector Adkins. The investigation confirmed that Adkins intentionally failed to deposit the money into the tax bank account and later used a portion of the money for personal use.

On January 23, 2013, Adkins waived her right to Grand Jury presentation and pleaded guilty to an accusation of third-degree official misconduct. Yesterday morning, Superior Court Judge Mark Sandson sentenced Adkins to two years of probation, forfeiture of any current or future public employment and forfeiture of her State Tax Collector certification. In addition, Adkins must pay over $400 in restitution – the remaining amount Adkins had yet to pay back to the Township, according to acting First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton, who represented the State in the matter.