By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that three county residents were indicted on multiple counts for their roles in the theft and unauthorized use of an Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) card issued by the Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development.
Officials stated that an Atlantic County grand jury indicted Corie M. Pittman on several counts alleging second-degree Official Misconduct and third-degree Theft.
Ms. Kelly N. Pittman and Mr. Robert D. Swaggerty were indicted by the same panel for second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct and third-degree theft. In June of 2022, officials said an eligible local resident received her EBT card in the mail.
Authorities say the receipt for the card indicated there was approximately $1100 in the account.
However, when the resident attempted to use the card, she was informed it contained only approximately $5, officials say.
According to officials, the resident subsequently reported the apparent theft to law enforcement, who began an investigation.
At the time of the theft, officials stated, Pittman, 42, of Absecon, was employed by the Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development. Part of her responsibilities included processing and distributing EBT cards to eligible beneficiaries.
Authorities say on June 2, 2022, video surveillance showed Pittman processing the subject EBT card and placing it in an envelope.
Later, video footage showed her returning an empty envelope, officials say.
Additional evidence showed that Kelly N. Pittman, 41, of Egg Harbor Township, who is Corie Pittman’s sister, attempted to sell the EBT card on June 4, 2022, officials said.
According to officials, Kelly Pittman was unsuccessful in making the transaction.
Surveillance and billing records from the same day showed Kelly Pittman and Robert Swaggerty, 41, of Pleasantville, making several purchases at the Walmart and ShopRite stores in Hammonton Township, officials say.
Officials said those unauthorized purchases totaled nearly $1100, which left approximately $5 remaining on the EBT card account.
The Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards and Accountability Unit investigated the case with cooperation from the Atlantic County Department of Family and Community Development.