A former area fire department treasurer was sentenced on Friday for stealing more than $40,000 during her tenure, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni announced on Monday.

Christine Paladino, 41, of Cookman Avenue in the Ocean Grove section of the Neptune Township, was sentenced to three years in a New Jersey state prison for pilfering the $40,000 from the Bradley Beach Fire Department, for which she served as treasurer.

As a public official, Paladino will be required to serve two years in prison before being eligible for parole. The sentence follows a guilty plea, entered by Paladino in August to one count of third-degree theft by deception.

In pleading guilty, Paladino admitted that between May 2016 and December 2017, she took more than $40,000 via checks, debit card charges, and ATM withdrawals.

The plea was conditioned upon Paladino paying $40,000 in restitution. She will also be prohibited from holding any public office in the future as part of her plea agreement. 

In November 2012, under the leadership of Prosecutor Gramiccioni, the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office launched a Corruption Tip Line designed to solicit the public’s assistance in identifying and targeting corruption, fraud, and misconduct occurring in local governmental agencies.  Citizens may report concerns via the following: Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line — 855-7-UNJUST (855-786-5878); or, Email – [email protected] (write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line).