Ex-CFO Of Autism Group Gets 3 Years In Prison For $115K Theft

TRENTON, NJ – The former chief financial officer of a nonprofit that serves people with autism has been sentenced to three years in prison for stealing nearly $115,000 from the organization, the state attorney general's office announced Friday.

Peter Pflug, 56, of Freehold, the former chief financial officer for New Horizons in Autism, also was ordered to pay full restitution in the sentence handed down by Superior Court Judge Ellen Torregrossa-O’Connor in Monmouth County. Pflug pleaded guilty on Jan. 22 to a second-degree charge of theft by unlawful taking, the attorney general's office said.

Pflug was indicted as a result of an investigation by the state's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. New Horizons, a nonprofit based in Monmouth County, provides services to those with autism, including through the operation of group homes.

New Horizons receives the vast majority of its program funding through a contract with the New Jersey Division of Developmental Disabilities. Pflug, as chief financial officer of New Horizons, was entrusted with use of the organization’s credit cards and checking accounts to make purchases for the nonprofit.

The investigation revealed that from June 2015 through February 2018, Pflug used the nonprofit’s accounts to make approximately $114,917 in personal expenditures, frequently recording the products and services as purchases made for group homes operated by the nonprofit. Detectives searched Pflug’s home in April 2018 and identified numerous items and home improvements paid for using New Horizons credit cards and financial accounts.

"Pflug abused his position as chief financial officer of this nonprofit by stealing nearly $115,000 in funds – consisting mostly of tax dollars – that were intended to provide services to individuals with autism," Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal said. "This prison sentence sends a strong message that those who steal and abuse their positions of trust will be held accountable."

"Pflug betrayed the nonprofit that employed him and the vulnerable population served by the nonprofit," said Thomas Eicher, director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability. "Moreover, he stole from New Jersey taxpayers. We have zero tolerance for this type of corrupt conduct."

The Office of Public Integrity and Accountability has a toll-free tipline 1-844-OPIA-TIPS for the public to report corruption, financial crimes and other illegal activities confidentially.

The Attorney General’s Office also has an Anti-Corruption Reward Program that offers a reward of up to $25,000 for tips from the public leading to a conviction for a crime involving public corruption. Information is posted on the Attorney General’s website; click here.

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