By: Najla Alexander
Authorities in Atlantic County announced that on Thursday, April 11, Michelle Calderon, 37, from Egg Harbor Township, a former Code Enforcement Officer with the City of Ventnor, was indicted for multiple crimes.
Officials said the crimes included second-degree Pattern of Official Misconduct, second-degree Official Misconduct, second-degree Misapplication of Entrusted Property, second-degree Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of Property, second-degree Altering Computer Software to Commit Theft, and fourth-degree Tampering with Records.
According to officials, the indictment stems from an investigation that began when the City of Ventnor observed a discrepancy within its financial ledgers.
It is alleged that from 2021 through 2023, officials say, Calderon took cash transactions from citizens and businesses intended as payment for various city permits and kept the cash for herself.
Authorities say she would then alter the balance sheets using a city-owned computer to cover up the discrepancies.
The total amount of cash taken exceeds $75,000, officials stated.