Police chief, wife charged with stealing $150K from MADD
A New Jersey police chief and his wife have both been charged with stealing money from MADD.
Police Chief, Frank Winters, and his wife Bernice, are both charged with one charge each of conspiracy and theft by deception of $150,000 from Mothers Against Drunk Driving.
The couple own a company that was paid to create promotional material for MADD. They never did the job. The money was used to pay their mortgage, dinners, American Express bills and car expenses. They had cashed over 80 cheques over the last 3 years.
Mr. Winters is also a councilman in Newfield, NJ.
Attorney General Stuart Rabner said
"It's a sad day when a law enforcement official, sworn to uphold the law, carries out a series of fraudulent acts. It is sadder still when anyone steals money from a charity, money that was intended to combat drunk driving and the horrific consequences that flow from it,"
The charges each carry sentences of up to 10 years and fines of up to $150,000.
Mr. Winters is no longer allowed in the police building and has been removed as police chief.
MADD is a nonprofit organization.
Three years and over 80 cheques later and the organization never recieved any promotional material? Why did they continue to give them cheques? I would think after 6 months they would start to wonder what is going on?
