TRENTON - Attorney General Peter C. Harvey announced that the Division of Criminal Justice - Major Financial Crimes Bureau has obtained a State Grand Jury indictment charging a former Morris County man with money laundering and theft for obtaining more than $38,700 in pension monies to which he was not entitled.

According to Vaughn L. McKoy, Director, Division of Criminal Justice, William Jackson, 55, formerly of Washington Street, Morristown, Morris County, was charged in a State Grand Jury indictment with theft by deception and money laundering (3rd degree). If convicted on both counts, Jackson faces up to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $30,000. Jackson will be ordered to appear in Morris County Superior Court for arraignment and bail on a date yet to be determined.

The indictment alleges that between Oct. 1, 1989 and July 1, 2003, Jackson stole more than $38,700 from the Divisions of Pensions and Benefits by continuing to collect his dead mother’s pension benefits. According to the indictment, Jackson’s mother, Clifford Louise Jackson, worked in an pubic service position for the State of New Jersey and, upon retirement, received a state pension. The pension, however, did not provide for post-death benefits. Following the death of his mother in 1989, Jackson failed to notify the Division of Pension and Benefits of his mother’s death and continued to endorse Clifford Jackson’s pension benefits checks. An investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice - Major Financial Crimes Bureau, determined that Jackson received more than 160 pension checks, totaling more than $38,750. It is charged that Jackson used the money for personal expenses.

State Investigator Raymond Gardner and Deputy Attorney Francine S. Ehrenberg assigned to the Division of Criminal Justice - Major Financial Crimes Bureau, coordinated the investigation. DAG Ehrenberg represented the Division of Criminal Justice before the State Grand Jury.

The indictment, which was handed-up to Mercer County Superior Court Judge Maria Marianna Sypek on Dec. 9, is merely an accusation. The defendant is presumed innocent unless or until proven guilty in a court of law.

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