FREEHOLD – A Belmar woman has been arrested for making unauthorized charges to a client’s credit cards.
Kathleen G. Campion, 50, was charged on March 2 with one count of third-degree theft by unlawful taking, one count of third-degree fraudulent use of a credit card and one count of fourth-degree theft of credit card.
She’s a former home health aide who allegedly fraudulently charged more than $11,000 to the credit cards of a 90-year-old female client, Monmouth County Prosecutor Christopher J. Gramiccioni said.
Spring Lake Police were alerted to the unauthorized charges back in May 2018. Campion, who had been taking care of that client since 2013, used the cards to pay for her utility bills, cell phone bills, health insurance and rent.
“It is incumbent on everyone, particularly those of us in law enforcement, to protect the elderly from harm and fraudulent activity. To that end, the Spring Lake Police Department caught an individual who was entrusted with ensuring the health and well-being of an elderly patient and shamelessly exploited that relationship for her own personal gain,” Gramiccioni said. “This arrest demonstrates the value of our partnerships with the local law enforcement agencies that help us remain vigilant and keep an ever-watchful eye over those that are most vulnerable to this type of fraudulent criminal activity.”
If convicted, Campion faces up to 5 years in prison for each third-degree charge, and fines up to $15,000.
Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Diane Aifer has been assigned to this case.
