Ridgewood, NJ Discovers $390K In Parking Meter Quarters Stolen
RIDGEWOOD, N.J. (CBSNewYork/AP) - Officials in a northern New Jersey town where the former public works inspector admitted stealing $460,000 in parking meter quarters have discovered an additional $390,000 in quarters were stolen during the same time.
The discovery was made during an audit that Ridgewood initiated after Thomas Rica pleaded guilty in March to theft.
"We're very concerned about both the scope and the method about the theft or thefts that have taken place," Mayor Paul Aronsohn said.
Ridgewood, NJ Discovers $390K In Parking Meter Quarters Stolen
The Record newspaper reports the town issued a statement saying the audit raises the question of whether other people participated independently or in cooperation with Rica.
In a statement, town officials called the auditor's findings "very disturbing," Haskell reported.
Village Manager Roberta Sonenfield is floored by the findings.
"The number is staggering. You think about that, that's over 3.2 million quarters," she told CBS2's Hazel Sanchez.
"They need more control of what's going on in management," Ridgewood resident Helene told WCBS 880's Peter Haskell.
Mike Leonetti is appalled.
"You know, when he stole from the town, he stole from every one of us," Leonetti said.
Under a plea deal, Rica received probation and was ordered to pay $460,000 in restitution. If Rica misses a payment or is charged with another crime within five years, he could get a prison term ranging from three to five years.
"(Is he involved at all with this other amount of money that they're now claiming is missing?) First of all, the auditors suggesting that there was more money whether there was or not I'm not aware of. But no one is suggesting that Mr. Rica took anything other than what he agreed to pay back," Rica's attorney Robert Galentucci said.
Village administrators say they have stepped up their security and parking meter revenue record keeping. They say Ridgewood police may launch an investigation into the alleged heist.
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