The amount of money four Guttenberg Department of Public Works employees stole from town parking meters earlier this month “exceeds $500 but is less than $75,000” as an exact dollar amount has not yet been determined, according to the criminal complaint. 
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
As we first reported one week ago, four Guttenberg DPW employees, including the head of the department, were charged for their alleged roles in stealing money from parking meters.
Abraham Lopez, 51, of West New York, Scott O’Connor, 37, of North Bergen, Ronald Oriolo, 58, of Guttenberg, Kenneth DeGrushe, 58, also of Guttenberg and the department superintendent, were charged with theft and conspiracy on October 11, according to the criminal complaint.
Furthermore, all four employees are accused of “commit[ting] the offense of theft by unlawfully obtaining property belonging to the Town of Guttenberg, which amount involved exceeds $500 but is less than $75,000” by removing quarters from parking meters in town, the complaint says.
Officials have since confirmed that all four employees have been suspended as the investigation continues and their first court appearance is October 28.
The Guttenberg DPW has 14 employees, 12 regular workers, a supervisor and a superintendent. According to public records, DeGrushe has been working for the town since 2004 and earned a salary of $55,035 last year.
Additionally, Oriolo has been on the town payroll since 2007 and took home $31,185 in 2015, while Lopez was hired in June 2008 and earned the same salary as Oriolo last year.
Salary and employment information for O’Connor was not immediately available.
