Our Videos

October 8, 09

NEWS / Former Treasurer for Cemetery in Chester Pleads Guilty to Stealing More than $600,000 from Cemetery


TRENTON – Attorney General Anne Milgram announced that the former treasurer for the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association in Chester has pleaded guilty to stealing more than $600,000 in cemetery funds.

Jerry Smith, 68, of Sparta, pleaded guilty yesterday to an accusation charging him with second-degree misapplication of entrusted property and third-degree failure to pay New Jersey income taxes before Superior Court Judge Salem Vincent Ahto in Morris County, according to Division of Criminal Justice Director Deborah L. Gramiccioni.

Smith was treasurer of the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association and a member of its board of trustees for more than 20 years. As treasurer, Smith had control of Pleasant Hill’s finances and bookkeeping, including custody and control of income from plot sales and burials. In February 2008, the cemetery’s superintendent found discrepancies in financial reports prepared by Smith and reported them to the board of trustees. The charges stem from a joint investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice and the Division of Taxation.

In pleading guilty, Smith admitted that between January 2000 and February 2008, he misappropriated $611,590 in cemetery association funds, which he used for his personal benefit. Smith further admitted that in filing joint personal income tax returns with the State of New Jersey for himself and his wife for the years 2000 through 2008, he failed to report the misappropriated funds as income, resulting in the couple’s failure to pay $26,340 in taxes owed.

Under the plea agreement, the state will recommend that Smith be sentenced to seven years in state prison. He must also pay restitution of $607,590 to the Pleasant Hill Cemetery Association, representing the amount stolen less $4,000 he previously repaid, and $42,021 to the Division of Taxation, representing the taxes owed plus fines and penalties. Judge Ahto scheduled sentencing for Smith for Nov. 6.

http://www.nj.gov/oag/newsreleases09/pr20091007a.html

 




Testimonials

John Beacleay

Just wanted to say thanks again for all your help Anton. I mean it's really amazing to me that yo...
Read More »
Niranjan Sujay
I recently used LOGOS INTERNATIONAL for the translation of my bachelor’s certificate, and I couldn’t...
Read More »
Katia Nagata

As a foreigner, I needed a certified translation, so I called the DOE to give me a list of the ce...
Read More »
AnnaMaria Realbuto
Thank you for all your assistance and efficiency...
Read More »




FAQ

Supplemental Questions & Answers: Extension of Optional Training Program for Qualified Students
Read More »
What must a student do after being granted the 17-month STEM extension?
Read More »
How many small businesses are there?
Read More »
How many businesses open and close each year?
Read More »






News

August 22, 25
UK man issued 2 death certificates to allegedly cover up hospital’s negligence – report
Read More »
August 18, 25
Same-sex marriage certificates under question after court case requests overturn of 2015 legalization of same-sex marriage nationwide
Read More »
August 14, 25
Michigan man sentenced to over 20 years in prison for murdering wife after receiving divorce court papers
Read More »
August 12, 25
US President Donald Trump axes IRS Commissioner Billy Long
Read More »