HUDSON COUNTY WELFARE OFFICE EMPLOYEE CHARGED WITH THEFT FOR FRAUDULENT USE OF EBT CARDS

Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez has released the following information:

The Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Public Integrity Unit, Special Investigation Unit arrested and charged a Hudson County Welfare Office employee with ten counts of Theft by Unlawful Taking following an investigation that found he was fraudulently accessing Electronic Benefits Transfer (EBT) cards and making cash withdrawals.

Herbert Thomas, age 55, of Jersey City, was arrested at approximately 1:30 p.m. on Monday, March 15, 2021, at the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office in Jersey City.

Thomas has been charged with seven counts of third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3A and three counts of fourth-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking in violation of N.J.S.A. 2C:20-3A. His first court appearance is scheduled for April 6, 2021.

The investigation discovered that Thomas, on diverse dates between September 28, 2020 and February 19, 2021, at least ten times fraudulently accessed EBT cards issued to welfare recipients to make ATM cash withdrawals of several thousand dollars.

Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office HCPO Public Integrity Unit, Special Investigations Section with the investigation and arrest.

The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. R.P .C.3.6(b)(6).