Schools
Former New Brunswick Vice Principal Gets Year in Prison for Theft
Patricia Ruggeri must serve a year in county jail for stealing approximately $26,000 in student fees while a vice-principal for the New Brunswick Adult Learning Center.
A former vice president at the New Brunswick Adult Learning Center has been sentenced to 364 days in county prison for stealing $26,090 in fees paid by students seeking their GEDs.
Patricia Ruggeri, 36, of East Brunswick worked as a vice president at the New Brunswick Adult Learning Center, which is a part of the city's public school system.
Ruggeri was arrested and charged on November 9, 2012 in connection with the thefts.
It was originally reported that $12,000 was missing from the district's coffers, but on December 18, the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office said that Ruggeri was sentenced for the theft of over $26,000 in student fees, paid by students seeking education through the center.
The investigation began after "discrepancies in student fees" were discovered by school officials after Ruggeri took a leave of absence.
She resigned from her job with the school district in September 2012.
She pleaded guilty to one count of third degree theft by unlawful taking on on October 3 of this year, according to the release.
In addition to the jail time, Ruggeri must also repay the stolen money and is banned from holding a public job in New Jersey ever again.
Student education at the school was not affected by the thefts, according to the release.
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