Ex-Director Of N.J. Head Start Program Stole Funds To Buy Maserati, Authorities Charge

Authorities have charged the former executive director of a Hudson County head start organization with stealing more than $200,000 from the organization and spending the funds on luxury items such as a Maserati and a fur coat.

According to the U.S. Attorney’s Office (NJ), police arrested Robert E. Mays, 38, of Jersey City, on Thursday and charged him with embezzling funds from the Jersey City Child Development Centers (JCCDC), a federally-funded organization that provides early childhood development services and education to underprivileged children in Jersey City.

According to court documents, Mays served as the executive director of the JCCDC from Sept. 10, 2013, to May 21, 2014.

During this time, the JCCDC received $8,020,919 in funds from the Administration for Children and Families, a division of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, for the benefit of the children who attended the organization’s development programs.

Prosecutors are alleging that Mays engaged in a scheme to steal more than $200,000 from the JCCDC by increasing his annual salary from $96,500 to $155,000 without authorization after only two months of his employment.

In addition, prosecutors accused Mays of withdrawing funds from JCCDC bank accounts for his personal benefit without authorization.

Using these funds, Mays allegedly purchased luxury items that included a 2007 Maserati Quattroporte and a fur coat worth thousands of dollars, authorities charge.

According to prosecutors, the embezzlement count carries a maximum potential penalty of 10 years in prison and a fine of $250,000, or twice the gross gain or loss resulting from the scheme, as well as mandatory restitution in the full amount of the loss to theJCCDC.