NEWARK, N.J. (AP) - Two former Essex County Parks Department employees have admitted stealing gas from the county.
Authorities say 47-year-old Rocca Gonnella of Toms River and 42-year-old Albert Maldonado of Elizabeth pleaded guilty Monday to theft charges.
Both men face 18-month prison terms when they’re sentenced April 28. Each man also will have to pay $2,000 in restitution will be barred from holding public employment in New Jersey.
Prosecutors say the men stole the gas over several weeks in early 2012. They illegally used the access codes that allowed them to gas up county vehicles and equipment to instead fill up their personal vehicles numerous times.
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