Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief James Parker of the South Plainfield Police Department announced today that the former borough recreation director has been arrested and charged with theft, financial facilitation and forgery.
Officials say Kevin Hughes, 49, of North Plainfield, the former recreation director for the Borough of South Plainfield, was arrested and charged today with one count of theft by unlawful taking in the second degree, one count of theft by failure to make required disposition of property received in the second degree, two counts of financial facilitation in the second degree, and four counts of forgery in the fourth degree.
According to authorities, Hughes collected fees for the South Plainfield Recreation Department for various recreation as well as travel teams and utilized the funds for his own use. In addition, he forged invoices to obtain monies for his own personal benefit.
Police charged Hughes following an investigation by Detective Craig Magnani of the South Plainfield Police Department and Detective Christopher Pennisi of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.
During the investigation, it was determined that between July 2013 and February 2019, Hughes stole in excess of $75,000 from the South Plainfield Recreation Department. Hughes held the position of director for the South Plainfield Recreation Department since August 1, 2006; he previously was the assistant director since June 1, 2005. He resigned from his position as recreation director on February 20, 2019.
Officials say Hughes was processed and released pending his initial court appearance in Middlesex County Superior Court on April 18, 2019.
The investigation is active and continuing.
Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Magnani at (908) 755-0700 or Detective Pennisi at (732) 745-3330
As is the case with all criminal investigations, the charges against Hughes are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.