Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office

25 Kirkpatrick Street, 3^rd Floor, New Brunswick, New Jersey, 08901 (732) 745-3300

*News Release* Date: May 29, 2009

DPW worker gets jail term, probation for theft of gasoline

Middlesex County Prosecutor Bruce J. Kaplan today announced that an employee of the Monroe Township Department of Public Works was ordered to serve 364 days at the Middlesex County Adult Corrections Center and was placed on probation for five years for stealing gasoline from the township for his personal use.

Earl Wilson, (DOB 7/12/57) of Jamesburg, was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Frederick P. DeVesa during a hearing at the Middlesex County Courthouse in New Brunswick.

The judge allowed Wilson time to take care of his personal affairs and ordered him to begin serving his term of incarceration on May 29, 2012.

In addition, the judge ordered Wilson to repay Monroe $213 for the stolen gasoline and said the defendant must resign his job as foreman for the public works department.

Judge DeVesa also advised Wilson that he may not hold any public job and may not receive compensation for any volunteer work. He currently serves as a volunteer emergency medical technician in Jamesburg.

Wilson was sentenced after he pleaded guilty March 13, 2009, to a single count of theft, admitting he stole 60 gallons of fuel, valued at $213, from the township.

He was arrested and charged July 9, 2008, after an investigation by Monroe Township police Sgt. Peter Piro determined the defendant had used a five-gallon gas can to take the gasoline from the public works department on 12 separate occasions between April 15, 2008, and July 9, 2008.

Wilson was sentenced after reaching a plea agreement that was negotiated with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Brian D. Gillet.

The plea was entered to an accusation after Wilson waived his right to a review of the case by a Middlesex County grand jury.