CAMDEN — The now former tax collector for Merchantville admitted Wednesday she stole $72,480 in cash payments property owners made to settle their tax bills.
Michelle McKinney, 36, of Brooklawn, faces 364 days in the Camden County Correctional Facility under her guilty plea before Superior Court Judge Irvin Snyder to theft by failure to make required disposition of property received.
McKinney also will be required to make $72,480 in restitution and be on probation for five years, according to Camden County Prosecutor Warren Faulk. McKinney also will forfeit her ability to hold public office in the future.
A spokesman for Faulk said Merchantville may also pursue her civilly for reimbursement of any missing sums that may be discovered during an ongoing audit.
On at least six occasions, Faulk said McKinney used her position as tax collector to take tax payments made in cash and keep the money. The thefts took place from February 2009 to November 2009 and she admitted to taking $72,480.
The missing payments came to light after an initial complaint and a subsequent audit.
McKinney worked in the borough tax office since 2004 and became tax collector in 2008.
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