Drug Counselor Accused of Bribery Works in Woodbridge Township

WOODBRIDGE, NJ - The Perth Amboy drug counselor accused of asking a patient for cash in exchange for a clean drug report is a state employee who also works at a drug treatment center in Woodbridge Township, NJ.com has learned. Anthony Trimble, 54, was arrested last week at his job as a drug treatment counselor at Journey to Wellness clinic in Perth Amboy.

But that was only a part-time position for him. Trimble's main job was at Special Treatment Unit at Avenel with an annual salary of $63,470, according to state payroll data. He has worked for the state since 2010. In light of his arrest last week, he has been suspended from his job in Avenel.

It was the patient in Perth Amboy who first contacted law enforcement: He told police that last Wednesday, Dec. 14, Trimble demanded an undisclosed sum of money from him after he failed a drug test. In exchange, Trimble would not mark that he had failed the test, the prosecutor's office said. As part of his three-year probationary term, the victim was required to report to Trimble.

Trimble, a Howell resident, was arrested the same day the patient contacted police. He has also been fired from the Perth Amboy clinic, which is privately owned.

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Perth Amboy Drug Counselor Demanded Cash from Patient, Prosecutor Says