By: Richard L. Smith
A state grand jury has indicted Kevin T. Matthew, a suspended lieutenant from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO), on charges of tampering with drug evidence and financial crimes.
The indictment, announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), alleges Matthew removed and altered narcotics evidence—including cocaine and fentanyl—on multiple occasions.
Matthew, 48, of Cedar Grove, New Jersey, allegedly withdrew drugs from BCPO’s evidence vault between January 2019 and November 2023 in connection with nine narcotics cases.
Prosecutors claim he took substantial quantities of seized drugs in a manner consistent with intent to distribute.
Attorney General Platkin condemned the alleged misconduct, stating, “Instead of making Bergen County safer, the indictment alleges the defendant repeatedly withdrew large amounts of dangerous drugs from the evidence vault, betraying his colleagues, his community, and his oath.”
Authorities also accuse Matthew of depositing approximately $600,000 in cash into personal bank accounts during the same period.
The deposits were allegedly structured to evade federal reporting requirements, and he is accused of failing to report the income on his tax returns.
The indictment includes 50 counts, ranging from first-degree financial facilitation of criminal activity and drug distribution to official misconduct, evidence tampering, and tax fraud.
If convicted, Matthew faces significant prison time, with first-degree charges carrying up to 20 years.
The investigation remains ongoing.