TRENTON – Attorney General Paula T. Dow and Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor announced that a former toll collector for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who worked at the George Washington Bridge pleaded guilty today to stealing toll funds.

According to Director Taylor, Debbie E. Rembert, 41, of Rosedale, N.Y., pleaded guilty to an accusation charging her with third-degree theft by unlawful taking before Superior Court Judge Eugene H. Austin in Bergen County. The Division of Criminal Justice charged Rembert as a result of an audit and investigation by the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey. The state will recommend that Rembert be sentenced to a term of probation conditioned on 364 days in the county jail, or, if eligible, in-patient drug treatment. She will be permanently barred from public employment and must pay restitution in an amount to be determined.

In pleading guilty, Rembert admitted that she stole at least $500 in toll funds, partly concealing the thefts by falsely reporting numerous truck “turnarounds,” instances when truck drivers passed through her toll booth, but then turned around and did not cross the bridge or pay the toll. An audit of toll collectors by the Port Authority revealed that Rembert had the highest average cash “shortage” per shift and the highest number of reported turnarounds. The term “shortage” refers to the difference between the tolls anticipated based on the vehicles that pass through a toll booth and the actual tolls collected, minus losses accounted for by reported toll violators and turnarounds. A further analysis of Rembert’s toll collection activities from Nov. 1, 2010 to June 6, 2011, revealed approximately $20,000 in combined shortages and lost revenue related to purported turnarounds. A restitution hearing will be conducted to determine what portion of that amount was stolen and must be repaid by Rembert.

“We want to send a deterrent message that we have zero tolerance for this type of theft and breach of the public trust,” said Attorney General Dow. “Officials at any level who misappropriate public funds will be criminally charged and prosecuted.”

“The Port Authority has demonstrated its vigilance in monitoring its operations, down to the shifts of individual toll collectors on the George Washington Bridge,” said Director Taylor. “We will continue to work with them by diligently prosecuting anyone found to have broken the law.”