Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp announces that Jennifer LaRocca, 40, of Hackettstown, pled guilty today to an accusation charging her with one count of third degree theft in violation of N.J.S. 2C:20-3(a).
In pleading guilty, the defendant admitted to unlawfully taking funds belonging to the victim, in an amount exceeding $500 but less than $75,000. During her plea, the defendant stated that her husband was hired to pay the victim’s bills and that she unlawfully wrote checks for her own personal expenses using the victim’s funds knowing that she was not authorized to do so.
Under the terms of the plea agreement the defendant agreed to sign a consent judgement and pay restitution to the victim in the amount of $170,805.61. Additionally, the State agreed to dismiss the second count of the Accusation which charged second degree Conspiracy in violation of N.J.S. 2C:5-2. The State will recommend that the defendant be sentenced to a term of non-custodial probation conditioned upon payment of restitution.
The Honorable Catherine I. Enright, J.S.C., presided over the plea.
The defendant is scheduled to be sentenced April 1, 2016.