Newark court, police records under scrutiny

It all started when a defendant was issued a summons by the state to appear in court for failure to pay a fine. The man produced a receipt showing that the fine had been paid, in cash, at Newark Police Headquarters.

Newark Village Justice V. Bruce Chambers dismissed the charge and started looking into the matter.

Chambers declined to name the person at the Police Department whose signature is on that particular receipt.

People receiving tickets for some traffic infractions are allowed to pay at the Police Dept. between 8 and 4, Monday through Friday. Chambers says the receipts are signed by Dispatcher Pat Latta, any NPD sergeant, Captain Tom Smith or Chief Richard Bogan.

The defendant is issued a receipt (duplicate), with funds to be kept in a safe and delivered to the court clerk next day. After dismissing the charge to the person who produced a receipt, Chambers investigated the situation by running a special computer program report comparing actual arrests with entries.

Several entries were missing, not including void summons, which were clearly marked. Chambers told this newspaper Saturday, that during the time in question, both he and his court clerk were on vacation.

In October 2004, Chambers notified the NYS Comptroller's office, and later the Wayne County District Attorney. An audit on the books from the last two years is now being performed by the NY State Comptroller's Office.

Chambers estimates that about $3000 is missing or unaccounted for. In addition, one filled receipt book, kept in the Police Department, appears to be missing, according to the village judge.

Chambers told the Courier-Gazette that he is not pointing a finger at the Police Department. 'The audit will clearly show the time frame and how much money is missing, and who signed the receipts,' added Chambers.

Newark Police Chief Richard Bogan said he has talked to State Police investigators recently, and auditors have been at police headquarters. It is expected that the audit will take several weeks.

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