Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone reported Wednesday that the Monroe Fire Chief of District No. 2 was charged with theft.
According to county officials, in February 2022, Fire Commissioners of Monroe Fire District No. 2 noticed discrepancies with their financial invoices, where taxes were being paid on items when they were a tax-exempt entity.
Officials said this led to an internal investigation where Chief James Carbin III, 55, of Clarksburg, was found to have been purchasing personal items with the fire department’s funds.
Carbin was placed on administrative leave in April of 2022 and is currently suspended without pay.
An investigation led by Detective Marcus Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office determined that from 2019 to 2022, Carbin had purchased at least $2173.20 worth of personal items using the fire department’s money.
Officials said during the investigation, it was discovered that Carbin also directed on-duty firefighters under his supervision to complete work outside of their job duties for his personal benefit.
Carbin was charged with third-degree theft by deception and third-degree theft of services.
The investigation is active and continuing. Anyone with information is asked to call Detective Goode of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office at (732) 745-4274.
As is the case with all criminal defendants, the charges against Carbin are merely accusations and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty.