Officer admits stealing funds from police union

[Omaha Steve]

http://www.philly.com/philly/wires/ap/news/state/new_jersey/20091003_ap_officeradmitsstealingfundsfrompoliceunion.html

Posted on Sat, Oct. 3, 2009

Officer admits stealing funds from police union

The Associated Press

FREEHOLD, N.J. - A veteran New Jersey police officer has admitted stealing more than $16,000 while serving as treasurer of a police union.

Daniel Lynch, a 23-year veteran of the Hazlet Police Department, pleaded guilty Friday to theft by deception. The plea came one day after he retired from the force, entitling him to collect his pension pending a state review.

Lynch will pay $16,041 in restitution to Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 189 and cannot hold any public office in the future. He's also sought acceptance into a pretrial intervention program, which could allow him to avoid jail time and eventually have the charge dismissed

Lynch admitted that between September 2002 and last February, he used a union credit card to buy personal items. The theft became known after the PBA conducted an audit.