Former Rutgers Union President Sentenced For Stealing

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ — A former president and treasurer of the Rutgers teachers' union was sentenced Thursday to four years in prison, handed down as the sentencing judge said he wanted to send a strong message to those who steal union funds.

Shelby Hyman, 52, of Somerset, was sentenced to four years in state prison for stealing $176,0000 from the union between 2012 and 2018.

She pleaded guilty in July of last year to second-degree misapplication of entrusted funds, admitting that between January 1, 2012 and July 31, 2018, she stole funds that were entrusted to her as either president or treasurer of the union.

She said she used the funds for her personal benefit.

Hyman is the former president and treasurer of AFSCME Local 1761, a Rutgers' employee union. That union is made up of clerks, lab techs, secretaries, custodians and librarian assistants, among other jobs, who work for Rutgers.

She also used to work at Rutgers University, but Rutgers did not say what her job was.

She also has to pay a restitution in the amount of $176,000, which she stole from the union.

In October 2019, Hyman made a restitution payment in the amount of $10,000 and is responsible to pay an additional $25,000 upon her release from prison.

At sentencing, Judge Benjamin Bucca indicated that he wanted to send a strong message to demonstrate there are serious consequences for stealing entrusted monies.