AFreehold woman recently pleaded guilty to one count of third-degree official misconduct, one count of third-degree theft, and one count of thirddegree attempted theft. The guilty pleas were entered on behalf of Lisa Morton, 41, Oct. 20 before state Superior Court Judge James Den Uyl, sitting in Toms River.
According to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, Morton is scheduled to be sentenced on Jan. 23. Morton entered her guilty plea pursuant to a negotiated plea agreement.
In accordance with the terms of Morton’s plea agreement, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office amended the charge of official misconduct from a second degree crime to a third-degree crime and agreed to recommend that Den Uyl sentence Morton to a five-year New Jersey state prison term with a two-year period of parole ineligibility. Also, pursuant to the terms of the plea agreement, Morton will be required to pay restitution in the amount of $6,196.95 and forfeit her right to seek future public employment.
Morton worked for the Superior Court of New Jersey since Dec. 21, 1987, and was assigned to the Monmouth Vicinage in Monmouth County. She most recently held the job title of Supervisor 1 and was assigned to the Finance Division in Ocean Township.
In December 2007 the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office received information from the Superior Court’s Trial Court administrator for the Monmouth Vicinage that Morton had been altering checks issued by the Superior Court, according to the press release.
An investigation revealed that altered checks were being deposited into Morton’s personal bank account and that the stolen funds were being used by Morton to pay certain of her personal expenses. The investigation revealed that Morton had altered 43 checks and that 23 of these checks were cashed. Stop-payment orders were issued on the remaining 20 checks, which were valued at approximately $11,280.02.
Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said, “Morton significantly breached the duties of her office and abused the public trust associated with her position. The period of incarceration the plea agreement calls for Morton to receive will hopefully punish her and deter others.”
M
orton’s employment with the Superior
Court was terminated on Dec. 14, 2007.
Because of Morton’s previous employment within the Monmouth Vicinage, Monmouth County Assignment Judge Lawrence M. Lawson ordered that the case be transferred from Monmouth County to Ocean County in order to avoid any appearance of a conflict of interest.