ROBBINSVILLE TOWNSHIP POLICE DEPARTMENT EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH THEFT AND OTHER CHARGES
" Eric Coran Has Been Charged With Alleged Theft & Money Laundering For Stealing $250,000. Worth Of Equipment From The Robbinsville Police Department."
August 15, 2022 6:28 A.M. ET By Art Fletcher Reporting For: Englebrook Independent News,
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ROBBINSVILLE, NJ.- On Friday, August 12, 2022, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri and Robbinsville Township Police Chief Michael Polaski announced that on Thursday, August 11, 2022, a 21-Year Employee of The Robbinsville Township Police Department has been Charged with Stealing and Selling Property and Equipment belonging to The Police Department for Personal Gain.
On Thursady, August 12, 2022, a Criminal Complaint was signed Charging Eric Coran, 41, of Medford, New Jersey with Second Degree Official Misconduct; Multiple Counts of Theft; Criminal Computer Activity and Impersonation; and Second Degree Money Laundering. Mr. Coran has been Employed by The Robbinsville Township Police Department as a communications officer since 2002.
Mr. Coran's responsibilities included Purchasing, Ordering, Programming, and Maintaining Police Equipment including Police Radios, Emergency Lights, Sirens and Controllers. Mr. Coran was terminated from his job on Friday after being suspended without pay since July 2022.
The charges are the result of an investigation by The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Public Corruption Unit and The Robbinsville Township Police Department.
The investigation determined that between July 2021 and July 2022, Mr. Coran abused his position by Fraudulently Obtaining and Altering Purchase Orders issued by The Township of Robbinsville to make unauthorized purchases for his own uses; making unauthorized purchases for his own uses utilizing The Township’s Amazon account; and utilizing other means to steal Robbinsville Property and Funds.
Further, Mr. Coran Sold various Police Radios, Emergency Lights, Sirens and Controllers over The Internet using an alias and mailed them throughout the United States utilizing his Medford, New Jersey residence as a return address. The approximate value of the Stolen Property is more than $250,000.
The investigation also uncovered that Mr. Coran utilized the credentials of both Chief Christopher Nitti and Chief Polaski without authorization to access and make alterations in a software program used by The Township of Robbinsville for budgeting and financial purposes to further and cover up his Crimes.
“No one is above the law, especially public servants,” Prosecutor Onofri said. “Individuals who abuse their positions and violate public trust should be prepared to face the consequences.”
“Eric was a long-time, trusted employee serving 21 years with the police department. He was an important member of the team,” Chief Polaski said. “We were both shocked and disappointed to learn that this had been going on.”
Mr. Coran’s Criminal Acts were uncovered in July when Motorola contacted The Robbinsville Township Police Department regarding service of one of the stolen radios. The matter was brought to the attention of The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office and a joint investigation ensued.
The case is presently being Prosecuted by Assistant Prosecutor Rachel Cook, Chief of The Public Corruption Unit. If Convicted Second Degree crimes carry a penalty of Five to Ten Years in New Jersey State Prison and a $150,000 fine. Third Degree Crimes carry a penalty of Three to Five Years in New Jersey State Prison and a $15,000 fine. If convicted of The Second Degree Crime of Money Laundering, Mr. Coran faces a penalty of Five to Ten Years in New Jersey State Prison, which will run Consecutive to the Theft Charges, and a $200,000 fine. Additionally, Mr. Coran would be subject to a $500,000 Anti-Money Laundering Profiteering Penalty. The Mercer County Prosecutor’s Office has filed a motion to Detain Mr. Coran pending trial.
" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."
FILED UNDER AUGUST 15, 2022: LAW, MERCER: