LACEY TOWNSHIP POLICE DISPATCHER PLEADS GUILTY TO A THEFT CHARGE
" Matthew Bender Has Pled Guilty To The Theft Of Funds From The Lanoka Emergency Medical Service Squad."
October 21, 2021 By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
TOMS RIVER, NJ.- On Wednesday, October 20, 2021 Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on Tuesday, October 19, 2021, Matthew Bender, 33, of Lacey Township, New Jersey Pled Guilty to Theft, before The Honorable Linda G. Baxter, J.S.C.
At the time of Sentencing on December 7, 2021, the State will seek a term of Probation, together with Full Restitution, Forfeiture of his lifetime membership with the Lanoka Harbor Emergency Medical Service (LHEMS), resignation from his position with the Lacey Township Police Department, and forfeiture of any current or future public office or employment in the State of New Jersey.
This Charge was in connection to an investigation conducted by The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economics Crime Squad in the Spring of 2021.
The investigation determined that Mr. Bender, a volunteer with the LHEMS as well as a dispatcher with The Lacey Township Police Department, was responsible for maintaining the LHEMS website. Mr. Bender also had access to the LHEMS PayPal account.
Between April 2020 and March 2021, the LHEMS received multiple donations from private citizens, and was also awarded monies from various grant applications. Further investigation determined that the grant money was disbursed to the LHEMS PayPal account managed by Mr. Bender, and that that approximately $4700 was transferred from the LHEMS PayPal account to Mr. Bender’s personal PayPal account.
The investigation exposed numerous purchases by Mr. Bender in small denominations for various restaurants, pharmacies, and auto stores, confirming that the funds were not used for the benefit of the LHEMS. It was determined that Bender misappropriated these monies for personal use.
Ocean County Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler and Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as The Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office High Tech Crime Unit, Lacey Township Police Department, and Berkeley Township Police Department, for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Bender’s guilty plea.
FILED UNDER OCTOBER 21, 2021: LAW, OCEAN: