Office Of The Monmouth County Prosecutor: Monmouth County Corrections Officer Pleads Guilty To Shoplifting

Press release from the Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor:

Chris Swendeman

July 26, 2021

22-YEAR LAW ENFORCEMENT VETERAN TO FORFEIT PUBLIC EMPLOYMENT

 FREEHOLD –   A Monmouth County Corrections officer has pled guilty after shoplifting in Ocean Township and West Long Branch, announced Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey.

Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year-veteran of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, pled guilty today before Judge Ellen Torregossa-O’Connor to fourth degree Shoplifting in connection with multiple instances where she failed to pay for items at local Target and Home Depot stores. Simone’s plea calls for her to pay restitution to both stores in a total amount of $1,320.90. Simone has also forfeited public office in New Jersey.  She will receive non-custodial probation and is not allowed to return to either store.

This follows an investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office which revealed that on multiple occasions, Simone “skip scanned” items, essentially scanning multiple smaller items, and not scanning larger items or pretending to scan them and leaving the store without paying for them. In multiple instances, Simone was wearing her uniform while committing the theft. Some of the stolen goods were later recovered from her residence.

Simone is currently suspended from her position at the Monmouth County Correctional Institution. She is scheduled to be sentenced on September 24, 2021 at 9:00 a.m.

The case is assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.

Simone is represented by Robert Holden Esq., of Shrewsbury.

Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or E-mail at: [email protected] write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line.

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This press release was produced by the Office of the Monmouth County Prosecutor. The views expressed here are the author’s own.