SECAUCUS — A Hudson County grand jury has indicted Alan Bartolozzi on six counts of theft and official misconduct in the second degree in connection with his past work as Secaucus’ Tax Collector, according to Assistant Hudson County prosecutor Leo Hernandez.
Bartlolozzi faces between 5 to 10 years behind bars for each count.
The indictment comes a year and a half after accountants uncovered a shortfall of hundreds of thousands of dollars in the Tax Collector’s Office, which Bartolozzi ran for 24 years. In May town officials said $777,725 was missing from the Tax Collector’s Office.
Even before this indictment was announced on Aug. 17, Bartolozzi was already facing jail time in connection with other charges. Prosecutors allege that Bartolozzi stole nearly $25,000 from the Secaucus Public Employees’ Association, a municipal workers’ union, during his tenure as volunteer treasurer. He is now facing one count of theft in the third degree in connection with this case. If convicted he could serve three to five years in prison.
A trial in this case is currently scheduled to begin Sept. 28. Bartolozzi has pleased not guilty to all charges.
A third grant jury refused to indict Bartolozzi on one count of cocaine possession in the third degree after officials alleged that they found remnants of the drug in his desk.
An indictment is not a judgment of guilt or innocence. Rather, it is a jury decision that there is enough evidence to bring a matter to a trial. – E. Assata Wright
Suspended Secaucus Tax Collector indicted on official misconduct, new theft charges
