A large amount of money was taken from two PTA bank accounts in Union Township, officials say.
UNION TWP. -- The PTA president in Union Township is charged with stealing a large sum of money from the group.
Crystal L. Bernat, 33, of Union Township was arrested and charged with theft and forgery, according to a joint statement released Tuesday by Hunterdon County Prosecutor Anthony P. Kearns III, Chief of Detectives John J. Kuczynski and New Jersey State Police Perryville Station Commander Colin Frinzi.
The arrest followed a joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit and the New Jersey State Police.
"The investigation revealed that while acting as the Union Township P.T.A. president, a position of trust, Crystal L. Bernat, 33, removed a large sum of money from two separate Union Township PTA bank accounts," Kearns stated. Officials in his office said the amount taken was between $500 and $75,000, but would not be more specific.
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Bernat was arrested and charged with theft, forgery and uttering, all third-degree crimes. She was released on her own recognizance pending a first court appearance on Oct. 30.
This investigation is ongoing and anyone with additional information is asked to contact the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office Major Crimes Unit at 908-788-1129.
Anonymous tips can be submitted by calling Crime Stoppers at 1-800-321-0010 or by going to www.crimestoppershunterdon.com, or text messaging "HCTIPS" plus your tip message to 274637 (CRIMES).
Sallie Graziano may be reached at sgraziano@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @SallieGraziano. Find The Hunterdon County Democrat on Facebook.