By Stephanie Prokop, Staff Writer
BORDENTOWN CITY — The Bordentown Historical Society is suing its former president, alleging he embezzled nearly $90,000.
Barry Hausser, who has served on the society’s executive board in the past, was named in a suit filed Sept. 3 with the state Superior Court Civil Division in Mount Holly, said a court clerk Friday.
The current president, Diane Flannigan, said the society could not comment on the details of the suit, but added that a statement would be coming from its attorney, Kevin Hart of Stark & Stark in Lawrence, later in the week.
City Commissioner James Lynch said he and other city employees were “naturally disappointed to learn about the circumstances.”
He said that there are no criminal charges and that the society decided to take civil action with a lawsuit against Mr. Hausser.
Mr. Lynch said he was first aware of the allegations last week when he started to receive anonymous phone calls asking him if he was aware of the alleged theft.
“Once I find out about something and am made aware of it, I have to take some kind of action,” he said.
He said there are no city funds associated with the society’s fund, but it could include state grant money that state Assemblyman Joseph Malone, R-30th, had helped secure for the society.
Mr. Lynch said the city police were made aware of the suit and that the city is “in a holding pattern and awaiting what to do from the prosecutor’s office.”
Mr. Hausser, a retired teacher and co-owner of App’s Hardware Store on Farnsworth Avenue, served an instrumental role in coordinating events last year that commemorated the city’s 325th anniversary.
A call to App’s Hardware seeking comment from Mr. Hausser was not immediately returned.

