Middlesex County Acting Prosecutor Christopher L.C. Kuberiet said today that the former borough recreation director was sentenced today to serve 3 years in state prison and must pay back the money he stole from the South Plainfield Recreation Department.
Officials say Kevin Hughes, 50, of North Plainfield, was sentenced to 3 years in a New Jersey state prison. In addition, Superior Court Judge Pedro J. Jimenez Jr. ordered the defendant to pay restitution in the amount of $80, 201 to the South Plainfield Recreation Department.
As part of the sentence, Hughes was also ordered to forfeit any future public employment.
The sentence was imposed after Hughes pleaded guilty on July 1, 2019, in accordance with a plea agreement reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Lorraine Sult, to second-degree theft by unlawful taking, admitting he took funds intended for youth sports from the South Plainfield Recreation Department, and then utilized the funds for his own personal gain.
Hughes was arrested and charged as a result of an investigation by Detective Craig Magnani of the South Plainfield Police Department and Detective Christopher Pennisi of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.