Chester Tax Collector Accused of Stealing $35K As Watchung Employee

Chester Borough’s tax department head was arrested Thursday for allegedly stealing more than $35,000 in less than a year while she served as the Watchung Tax Collector in 2013, Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano announced.

In September 2014, two Watchung Borough tax payers contacted the Watchung Borough Tax Office regarding discrepancies with their special assessment histories, and questioned why their payment history figures did not match the amounts of the checks written, Soriano said.

A review by Watchung Borough officials of the deposits showed discrepancies in the amount of the checks when compared with the amounts posted to the individual assessment accounts, Soriano said.

During the review, it was also observed that the transactions all occurred between January 17, 2013 and Dec. 3, 2013, when Catherine Hammel was the borough’s tax collector.

The investigation showed monies were misapplied involving tax overpayments, duplicate tax payments, sewer usage, sewer assessment, and homestead rebates, all resulting in a total of $35,788.78 allegedly stolen by Hammel and used for her benefit, Soriano said.

Hammel, 49, of Watchung, became Chester Borough’s tax collector in January 2014 and was earning a salary of $60,000. She was officially charged with official misconduct and theft by failure to make required disposition.

Chester Mayor Janet Hoven deferred all questions about the situation to the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office.

Pictured: Catherine Hammel, 49, of Watchung. Photo Courtesy Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office