Freeholder Director's Daughter Pleads Guilty To Stealing $40,000 From Little Egg Harbor

Freeholder Director John P. Kelly's 30-year-old daughter has pleaded guilty to the theft of more than $40,000 during the time she worked in the tax assessor's office in Little Egg Harbor Township, the state Attorney General's Office said.

Dawn Marie Kelly, Eagleswood Township, made the admission when she pleaded guilty to an accusation of third-degree theft by unlawful taking on Dec. 14 before Ocean County Superior Court Judge James M. Blaney, said Rachel Goemaat, a spokesperson for the Attorney General's Office said today.

Kelly worked as the deputy tax collector in Little Egg Harbor and has since resigned, she said.

The thefts took place between Nov. 11 of 2011 and July 31 of 2012. The Little Egg Harbor Township police referred the matter to the state Attorney General's Office, Goemaat said.

The bulk of the money was paid back prior to the plea agreement, but there is still an outstanding balance of $6,500, Goemaat said.

The Ocean County Prosecutor's Office also referred the matter to the state Attorney General's Office because of potential conflicts of interest, Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michel A. Paulhus said today.

Little Egg Committeeman Ed Nutall told Patch: "The important thing is this was discovered. It is regretful, but hopefully justice has now been done."

Come back to Berkeley Patch for more information on this developing story later.