Ex-Morristown Housing Authority Chair Cuts Deal In Theft Case

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The former chairperson of the Morristown Housing Authority (MHA) will not serve any jail time after entering a pretrial intervention following a theft charge.

Maureen Denman, who was appointed chairperson for the MHA in 2017, was charged with theft and fraudulent use of a credit card after allegedly stealing approximately $24,860, which was reportedly accumulated during 97 ATM withdrawals earlier this spring.

Denman relinquished her right to an indictment in front of Morris County Superior Court Judge Claudia Jones last week. Denman also admitted to using a Morristown Housing Authority credit card between Feb. 1 and April 6, according to the plea paperwork acquired by Patch.

According to Detective Paul Papamarkos of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, who prepared the probable cause affidavit, Denman made a total of 97 unauthorized ATM withdrawals between Feb. 10 and April 6, 2023, using a Lakeland Bank card issued by the Morristown Community Development Corporation (MCDC).

The card, which had been issued to Denman by the MCDC, was meant to be used for "families in need."

MHA Executive Director Keith Kinard said that he had spoken with a representative at the Lakeland Bank who had informed him that at some point in February, Denman had entered the bank and changed the credit card status from point of purchase to the ability to make withdrawals.

According to the probable cause affidavit, Denman did not have the authority to make such a change.

Denman will have to give up any current or future public job, pay $16,860 in restitution to the Morristown Housing Authority in $50 monthly installments, and be barred from contacting the housing authority or accessing its bank account.

She must also get treatment at a gambling addiction center, according to Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Christina Lopez.

The MHA did not immediately respond to Patch's request for comment on the matter.

The MHA is an equal housing opportunity agency that has been providing well-maintained housing to low- to moderate-income families and seniors since 1952. The housing authority currently owns and operates 470 public housing units in the Morristown area.