Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes announces the arrest of Paris D. Washington, 46, of Paterson, for Theft in the Second Degree a violation of NJSA 2C:20-3 (a) .
Police say Washington was arrested today by members of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit.
According to police, Washington is an employee of the City of Paterson Board of Health.
The matter was initially referred to the Prosecutor’s Office for investigation by the City of Paterson.
Washington is charged with stealing funds remitted to the Board of Health by the public to pay for birth certificates and copies of other documents.
Washington deposited the stolen funds in to her own bank account.
The thefts occurred from on or about 2014 until on or about August 2019.
The total amount of the theft is in excess of $75,000, which makes the charge a Second Degree offense.
Washington was charged and released on a summons complaint.
The matter is scheduled for a preliminary hearing October 25, 2019 in Paterson.
A Second Degree Theft charge is punishable by five to ten years in New Jersey State Prison.
A criminal complaint is merely an accusation. Despite this accusation, the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt.