NJ Park Police Officer Stole Union Funds: Attorney General

NEW JERSEY — New Jersey’s Attorney General’s Office has charged a Warren County State Park Police officer with second-degree theft, accusing him of taking over $75,000 from two police unions.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal said in a news release Tuesday that Hope Township resident Chris Smith, 47, has been charged with stealing $75,000 from Police Benevolent Association Local #222 and the State Law Enforcement Union.

Smith was president of PBA Local #222 from 2012 through 2018; and SLEU from 2013 through 2021.

He’s been accused of taking monies between 2013 to 2020 from both organizations, supposedly using union credit cards to pay for personal Florida flight tickets and car rentals. He also purportedly used union funds to buy meals and alcohol at New York and New Jersey eateries for himself.

Grewal thanked PBA Local #222 representatives, who contacted the Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau with their tips about Smith’s alleged spending.

The Corruption Bureau is prosecuting the case and if found guilty of second-degree theft, Grewal said Smith could face up to 10 years in prison and a $150,000 fine.

Questions or comments about this story? Have a news tip? Contact me at jennifer.miller@patch.com.