A West New York police captain has been charged with stealing over $60,000 from the local youth police academy, Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez announced.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Erwin Moreno, 49, is charged with one count of theft, a third-degree crime, Suarez said in a statement.
He was served his complaint summons at the West New York Police Department and released pending his first court appearance, which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 29th.
The investigation found Moreno misused over $60,000 of the West New York Youth Police Academy, Inc. funds for personal benefit between 2016 and 2023. The organization is a 501(c)(3) in which Moreno served as president.
“The West New York Police Department has cooperated fully in the investigation and will continue to do so,” noted West New York Deputy Chief Santiago Cabrera.
“We will continue acting to ensure that the West New York Police Department maintains the highest level of integrity and always remains committed to upholding both the law and the public trust.”
Moreno earned a salary of about $179,193 in 2021 and has been on the force for nearly 25 years, according to public records.
Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit and the West New York Police Department Internal Affairs Unit with the investigation and arrest.