UPDATE, 2:45 p.m.: A spokeswoman for the state attorney general's office on Friday afternoon confirmed the agency is conducting a criminal investigation into West Deptford's Water and Sewer Department.
"We recieved a referral and it will be reviewed in the appropriate manner," said spokeswoman Rachel Goemaat.
She declined further comment on the investigation.
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The state attorney general's office is investigating alleged improprieties in the township's Water and Sewer Department, Patch has confirmed.
Investigators with the attorney general's Public Corruption Unit are looking into, among other things, whether certain Water and Sewer Department employees continued to receive water and sewer service at their residences even after their service should have been discontinued.
A law-enforcement source familiar with the criminal investigation confirmed its specifics to Patch on Friday morning. The source was not authorized to speak publicly about the investigation, and requested anonymity.
The investigation began sometime after a municipal audit in June found serious discrepancies in the Water and Sewer Department.
Among the audit's findings regarding the department:
• During an audit of 581 water-sewer utility reading cards, 230 customers were discovered who should have had their service shut off for missed readings. Further procedures performed to ensure that the 230 customers' water was shut off were inconclusive due to poor record keeping by the Township. In addition, of the 230 customers, seven are township employees, four of whom were or are employees of the Water and Sewer Department. One water-sewer employee had only had three actual readings of his or her water meter in the past six years. The audit also found that these readings were conducted by leaving a card at the employee's door and having him or her personally fill in the meter information. This employee was assessed the minimum billing throughout the six years.
• The township's billing system for utilities is outdated, and does not allow for printing of adjusted bills. Adjustments are made manually with a typewriter outside of the utility system. In addition, meter-reading books were recorded in pencil.
Medford-based accounting firm Holman & Frenia conducted the audit, for fiscal year 2011, when the township was under Democrat control. The audit does not identify any of the employees by name.
A spokesman for the Attorney General's office could not immediately be reached for comment Friday.
Republican Mayor Raymond Chintall announced during a township committee meeting Thursday evening that the investigation is being conducted, but he declined to provide any further details.
Chintall said West Deptford police conducted the initial investigation, but that it was eventually turned over to the Attorney General's office.
Police Chief Craig Mangano said he was contacted by the Attorney General’s office, which offered to take over the investigation. Mangano said he accepted the offer, but he would not comment on how long the West Deptford police department had been working on the case.
“It is troubling when possible waste, abuse or even fraud may exist, by those who forget that responsibility of public trust,” Chintall said during the meeting. “In turn, that individual or individuals tarnish the hard working majority, who come to work every day and provide a good public service.”
Chintall said he'd have no further comment because of the ongoing investigation.
As a proactive measure against similar situations, Committeeman Samuel Cianfarini informed the public Thursday night that a "West Deptford Fraud, Abuse and Waste Hotline" is now established for residents who want to anonymously report any alleged abuse of power by the township‘s government or its employees.
Residents are urged to call 856-845-4004, ext. 112 to report any alleged government abuse.
employees working for a company or local government are easily enticed to bend the rules a little and take what they want as long as they don't get caught. however it's catching up time and this is only the beginning.
I am personally tired of some of the endless silly rhetoric we here from both sides of the aisle. We certainly saw that Thursday night from both sides as several like to march to the microphone just to get a partisan jab in. I can tell you in this instance you are one of the very same. I was at Thursdays meeting. Right after the public portion I walked out and met my wife in the parking lot to have a quick bite at the bar at Riverwinds. I was there until approximately 1030 pm. It just do happens there were several democratic figures there including Mr Shields who I actually bumped into at the bar as my wife and I were leaving. We both said hello and walked out. So I must think Ray and Sam didn't there wild post committee party at Riverwinds. I can substantiate that story. Can you substantiate yours? Perhaps Sam and Ray went to the Mt Royal Inn or something. Yeah, that's it.
You like to crunch the numbers. I would like to know how many township employees there are, and how many employees there are specifically for the Water and Sewer. This will significantly increase the percentage of the 7 township employees and the 4 water department employees. With an educated guess, as where I would hope the water department is not too large, the 4 employees make up a significant portion of the water department employees. Also, I agree with the ridiculous notion that our systems are so antiquated. That raises further questions. How did our township get into so much debt yet we are still using type writers and manual meter reading. I believe this brings the politics into play. Who ran this town for the past 20 or so years?
Is it possible that you are truly SERIOUS? "Good" employees do not steal from, or take advantage of, or take unauthorized/non-contracted benefits from, their employers.
I wouldn't trust that foul language without a CPA license dicarlo if she was a saint from heaven.like you and some of these dem clowns on here you,your dem machine is sinking faster than the Titantic and the fraud and corruption is coming to the surface.not too late to swing over klutzie
I am a genius i'm glad you acknowledge that. your the one that's spewing at the mouth about what are present day committeemen are doing but your tongue was silent during the docimo regime. come wayne throw the towell in your fightin a losin battle. and when they go to riverwinds i pick up the tab wayne. now respond wayne i let you get the last dig in wayne.ok wayne it's all urs wayne step up to the plate wayne