Waretown, New Jersey: Waretown resident, Alicia Campbell, 37, had already faced serious charges after allegedly embezzling $175,000 from a local senior community is now in jail for new charges after allegedly fabricating a story about her child having a cancer diagnosis to delay court proceedings.
Campbell, was arrested this past week on new charges of tampering with public records or information, impersonation, forgery, obstruction of justice and making an unsworn false statement to authorities.
She served as the community’s financial administrator for Greenbriar Oceanaire Community & Golf Course in Waretown and is accused of systematically diverting $175,000 in funds from the senior living facility over an extended period.
The alleged scheme came to light during a routine financial audit that revealed significant discrepancies in the community’s accounts.
The initial charges were served with a summons on March 23rd 2023 to appear in court. On January 3, 2024, a grand jury indicted Campbell on charges of theft, financial facilitation, and forgery. Campbell was subsequently arraigned on these charges on February 5, 2024.
According to prosecutors, Campbell allegedly used her position of trust to manipulate financial records and redirect funds for personal use.
The theft reportedly occurred through a series of unauthorized transactions that went undetected due to Campbell’s role in managing the community’s finances.
Ocean County prosecutor, Michael T. Nolan Jr. said from 2019 to 2023 Campbell used more than $81,000 of the association’s funds to buy items for her own personal benefit.
She also used Venmo to transfer money from the association’s accounts which she then sent back and transferred into her personal banking account to the tune of $94,000.
Campbell also had an accomplice, former coworker, 25-year-old Barnegat resident Evan Garaizar who was charged with forgery. At Campbells instruction, Garaizar made up fake receipts to look like “legitimate” purchases for the association. She then paid him $1900 for the receipts.
The following April, Campbell told the court her child was undergoing treatment for leukemia in Philadelphia, and that her child was being taken to the Texas Children’s Hospital for urgent care after the first round of treatment was unsuccessful.
According to a press release, Campbell had never been to the doctor in question, and had submitted false physician documents to the court so she could adjourn her case, repeatedly:
“Further investigation by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Squad revealed that the letter was, in fact, a forgery, and that the hospital had never even met Campbell, nor did it provide any care for Campbell’s child.”
The Ocean County Prosecutor’s office stated:
“The accused not only betrayed the trust of vulnerable seniors but also exploited society’s compassion for sick children to evade justice. This kind of manipulation of the court system is particularly egregious.”
Campbell was arrested on Wednesday in May’s Landing and taken to Ocean County Jail to await hearing. She may have to remain there without bail, pending trial according to the Prosecutor, Nolan.
Campbell faces multiple charges, including: theft by unlawful taking, misappropriation of funds, falsifying business records, and contempt of court for providing false information.
If convicted, Campbell could face substantial prison time and will likely be required to make full restitution of the stolen funds.
The case is scheduled to proceed through the Ocean County court system.
