Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes and Passaic County Sheriff Richard H. Berdnik announce the arrest of Gwendolyn Broughton, 53, of Paterson.
Gwendolyn Broughton was arrested without incident today at approximately 8:15 a.m., in Paterson, by members the Passaic County Prosecutor's Office.
Broughton was charged on the same date by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office with one count of third degree theft in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3. A third degree theft ranges from $500 up to $75,000, and carries a maximum term of five years in New Jersey State Prison.
The charge was placed on a summons and no bail was required to be set.
During December 2011 through May 2016, the timeframe of the alleged theft, Broughton was employed as a corrections officer by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office.
During periods within and beyond that timeframe, she also served as Treasurer for PBA Local #197, a union for officers employed by the Passaic County Sheriff’s Office. As Treasurer, she had access to the PBA’s accounts. She allegedly used that access to make numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple accounts for her own personal gain.
Broughton no longer serves as Treasurer and no longer has access to the PBA’s accounts.
The investigation in this matter remains ongoing.
At this time, further information will not be released so as not to jeopardize the safety of persons involved or to jeopardize the investigation in progress.