TRENTON — A Middle Township police officer has been indicted for allegedly stealing more than $4,000 in unemployment insurance benefits.
According to a press release issued by the State of New Jersey Office of Attorney General, Leon Linthicum, 35, was charged in a Sept. 28 grand jury indictment with third-degree theft by deception.
The indictment alleges that between April 3, 2010 and Aug. 7, 2010, Linthicum unlawfully obtained $4,142 in unemployment insurance benefits to which he was not entitled. It is alleged that while collecting these benefits, Linthicum was also working as a patrol officer in the Township. It further alleges that Linthicum did not report this employment to the Department of Labor and Workforce Development.
“The Middle Township Police Department has fully cooperated with the Attorney General’s Office in their investigation,” said a press release issued by the Middle Township Police Department.
Linthicum has been charged administratively by the township police department, and suspended without pay pending the outcome of the criminal proceedings.
According to public records, Linthicum’s 2010 base salary as a policeman was $60,388.
“The allegations against Patrolman Linthicum are not consistent with my expectations of proper conduct by a law enforcement officer sworn to uphold the law,” said Township Police Chief Chris Leusner. “The indictment of Patrolman Linthicum is in no way a reflection of the hard working men and women of the Middle Township Police Department.”
“The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty,” stated the Attorney General’s Office.
Third-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of five years in state prison and a criminal fine of $15,000.
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