State Park police officer stole $ 75,000 from NJ unions, authorities say

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A state park police officer who is the former chairman of two police unions stole more than $ 75,000 from organizations over a seven-year period, authorities said.

Chris Smith withdrew money from Union bank accounts and used Union credit cards to pay for plane tickets to Florida, car rentals, and meals and alcohol in restaurants in New Jersey and New York, the state attorney general’s office said on Tuesday.

Smith, 47, from Hope was president of Local 222 of the New Jersey Policemens Benevolent Association (PBA) from 2012 to 2018. Local 222 represents the state park police. Additionally, Smith served as President of the State Law Enforcement Union (SLEU) from 2013 to 2021.

Smith is charged with one count of second degree theft. He faces five to ten years in prison if convicted.

His annual salary is $ 82,303, according to state pension records. A spokesperson for the State Department of Environmental Protection could not immediately say whether Smith is suspended.

Smith has yet to hire a lawyer, the attorney general’s office said.

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Jeff Goldman can be contacted at [email protected].

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