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The dispatcher allegedly transferred charity money granted to EMS volunteers to a PayPal account and spent the money at restaurants, pharmacies and auto stores, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer.
Matthew Bender of Lacey Township pleaded guilty on Tuesday to a theft charge before Superior Court Judge Linda G. Baxter, prosecutor said.
An investigation found that Bender, a volunteer with Lanoka Harbor EMS and dispatcher with Lacey Township Police Department, managed the EMS PayPal account, Billhimer said.
On Feb. 2, Benevity, a charitable group that gives money on behalf of Macy’s Corp., awarded a grant to Lahoka Harbor EMS Investigators found that Bender allegedly transferred grant money from the EMS PayPal account to his personal PayPal account, the prosecutor said.
Bender then allegedly made numerous purchases, in small dollar amounts, at restaurants, pharmacies and auto stores, Billhimer said.
When Bender is sentenced on Dec. 7, the State will seek a term of probation, 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, Billhimer said.
Bender was paid nearly $44,000-a-year as a full-time dispatcher at Lacey Township Police Department.
Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler and Assistant Prosecutor Taylor Toscano handled the case.
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