FREEHOLD – A former Monmouth County Corrections officer has been sentenced for shoplifting incidents that took place in Ocean Township and West Long Branch, Acting Monmouth County Prosecutor Lori Linskey announced Friday.
Suzanne Simone, 53, of Ocean Township, a 22-year-veteran of the Monmouth County Correctional Institution, was ordered to forfeit her position, serve a year of probation, pay more than $1,300 in restitution, and never return to the stores she stole from, according to the terms set down Friday by Monmouth County Superior Court Judge Joseph W. Oxley.
Simone had earlier pleaded guilty to fourth-degree Shoplifting in connection with multiple instances in which she failed to pay for items at local Target and Home Depot stores. An investigation by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office, with the assistance of the Ocean Township and West Long Branch police departments, as well as loss prevention staff from the aforementioned stores, revealed that on multiple occasions, Simone “skip scanned” items – essentially scanning multiple cheaper items while avoiding more expensive items, or simply pretending to scan them – and left the stores without paying for them. In multiple instances, Simone was wearing her uniform while committing the theft. Some of the stolen goods were later recovered from her residence.
The case was assigned to Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the Office’s Professional Responsibilities and Bias Crime Unit.
Simone was represented by Robert Holden Esq., of Shrewsbury.
Citizens may report concerns via the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Tip Line – 855-7-UNJUST (855 786-5878); or via email at corruption@mcponj.org (write “Corruption/Misconduct Tip” in the subject line).
