Crime & Safety
Sicklerville Man Pleads Guilty to Defrauding Superior Court System Out of $45,000
Kenneth J. Culligan, 53, was an independent contractor hired to oversee the collection of debt for the state. He made money on a commission.
A Sicklerville man used by the state Superior Court system to collect and disburse debts owed to creditors has pleaded guilty today to misappropriating funds, Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi announced on Monday.
Kenneth J. Culligan, 53, formerly of Breckenridge Road, pleaded guilty to misapplication of entrusted property (third degree).
Under the terms of the plea agreement, Culligan must pay $44,201. Sentencing is scheduled for January 16, 2015 before the Hon. Terrence R. Cook, J.S.C. Culligan will receive a non-custodial term, with Judge Cook deciding on the length of probation.
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The court will also decide at sentencing whether Culligan must attend Gambler’s Anonymous as a condition of probation.
Culligan agreed to forfeit his right to hold public office or employment and must undergo a drug and alcohol evaluation.
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Two other counts from his indictment - elements of computer theft (second degree) and theft by deception (third degree) – will be dismissed at sentencing.
Culligan worked as a Special Civil Part Court Officer for the Superior Court of New Jersey, Burlington County and Camden County vicinages.
Culligan was not a court employee. He was an independent vendor who provided the service of collecting and processing payments from debtors.
The funds were then placed into a trust account, for which Culligan was the sole caretaker.
Funds were then transferred from the account to the creditors, with Culligan receiving a commission for each transaction.
In January of 2011, the court system announced that Culligan was no longer authorized to perform the duties of a Special Civil Part Court Officer.
A subsequent audit of his accounting records and activities revealed that since August of 2009, Culligan had illegally obtained funds above the amount he was permitted to retain in commissions.
Culligan is presently free on bail.
The investigation was conducted by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office Financial Crimes Unit with assistance from the New Jersey Administrative Office of the Courts.
The attached image of Kenneth J. Culligan was provided by the Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office.
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