Politics & Government

Parking Meter Theft Prompts Ridgewood Financial Reviews

Ex-village employee admitted to stealing 1.8 million parking meter quarters from Ridgewood last month.

Ridgewood’s coin collection and other money procedures are up for review in light of recent news that an ex-employee was able to steal $460,000 in parking meter quarters over two years without the village noticing, NorthJersey.com reported.

According to the report, new Village Manager Roberta Sonenfeld said she would be temporarily overseeing the Parking Utility to prevent thefts. She is also calling for an “independent review” of all departments that accepts payments to “insure proper controls are in place,” the report said.

There will also be a forensic review of the village’s financials, it said.

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The results of the reviews will be used to help the council decide how to prevent future thefts, Sonenfeld told NorthJersey.com.

The reviews are in reaction to the recent trial of Thomas Rica, Ridgewood’s former public works inspector, who admitted to stealing over $460,000 worth of parking meter quarters from the coin storage room. Rica is expected to be sentenced to probation this June. 

Find out what's happening in Ridgewood-Glen Rockwith free, real-time updates from Patch.


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