Woman Stole $75K From Nonprofit In Somerset County Where She Was Working: Prosecutor

BRIDGEWATER, NJ — A Bridgewater woman was arrested and charged after police say she stole more than $75,000 from a nonprofit based in Somerset County where she worked, according to Somerset County Prosecutor John P. McDonald.

Jolee Roberts, 55, of Bridgewater, was charged with second-degree theft by deception, two counts of third-degree forgery and fourth-degree credit card theft.

Roberts had served as the financial manager of Middle Earth located in Bridgewater for 15 years, according to her LinkedIn page.

Middle Earth is a non-profit, community-based agency located in Somerset County that has been providing youth with prevention and intervention services to help them develop into responsible, self-sufficient members of the community since 1972, according to its website.

The SCPO began investigating after Roberts was fired due to concerns involving the impropriety of funds which was discovered, according to McDonald.

An investigation found that Jolee Roberts cashed numerous checks and used credit cards issued to the non-profit organization for unauthorized purchases for more than $75,000 during a two-year period while employed at the non-profit organization.

On July 20, Roberts was arrested at her residence without incident. She was taken to the Somerset County Jail pending a detention hearing.

Anyone with information relating to this investigation is asked to contact the Somerset County Prosecutors Office Special Investigations Unit at 908-231-7100 or the Bridgewater Township Police Department at 908-722-4111 or via the STOPit app.

Information can also be provided through the Somerset County Crime Stoppers’ Tip Line at 1-888-577-TIPS (8477). All anonymous STOPit reports and Crime Stopper tips will be kept confidential.

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