Theft allegation hits ex-Hoboken finance aide

Saturday, July 18, 2009 Jersey Journal

A woman who worked as a financial specialist for a firm the city used was arrested this week for allegedly stealing more than $10,000 from a nonprofit she worked for in Monmouth County.

Before she worked in Hoboken, Kathryn Kinney, 42, was working as the executive director of the Poricy Park Conservancy in Middletown.

She is charged with stealing $10,219 from the nonprofit organization, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. Kinney allegedly took the money to stall foreclosure proceedings on her home in Bridgewater.

Kinney, 42, is charged with third-degree theft and third-degree misapplication of entrusted property.

Kinney's arrest came after a joint investigation, conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office and the Middletown Township Police Department. She allegedly took the money in September 2006 and stopped working for the nonprofit in June 2007.

After that, she worked for the accounting firm the city of Hoboken used for years to handle its finances.

Kinney worked closely with Hoboken's Finance Department, helping the city when its finances were taken over by the state and all of its financial statements and budget were subjected to state review.

Those who worked with Kinney said she "was extremely helpful."

Kinney left the accounting firm, Donohue, Gironda, and Doria, in 2008.

Kinney was released on a $15,000 bail. If convicted of either of the third-degree crimes, she faces a maximum potential jail time of up to five years.

She did not return a request for comment yesterday.