NEWARK, NJ—Grace Stewart, a police officer assigned to the Newark campus of Rutgers University, has been criminally charged with stealing $30,000 from the union that represents officers.

But the university has remained silent about her current status as an employee and a law enforcement officer despite repeated inquiries.

“She has been charged with theft of 30,000 dollars from the PBA,” said Katherine Carter, spokesperson for the Essex County Prosectuor’s Office.

It’s not clear whether Stewart, a Roselle Park resident, is still employed with the Rutgers University following the charges, which were first confirmed on May 18.

Stewart, who has been with the Rutgers University Police Department (RUPD) since September 2013, earns a $47,493 salary according to public records.  Other records indicate she is a “police officer recruit.”

But a source told NBToday that she was the treasurer of the union and embezzled the money to finance trips to Atlantic City and pay for her own housing.

For more than a week, the university has not responded to repeated requests to confirm if her employment has been suspended or terminated.

Chief Kenneth Cop and spokespersons for the university have thus far ignored multiple inquiries from New Brunswick Today.  A representative for the union, the Fraternal Order of Police Lodge #62, referred us to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.

Editor at New Brunswick Today | 732-993-9697 | editor@newbrunswicktoday.com | Website

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.

Charlie is the founder and editor of New Brunswick Today, and the winner of the Awbrey Award for Community-Oriented Local Journalism. He is a proud Rutgers University journalism graduate, a community organizer, and a former independent candidate for mayor of New Brunswick.