Theft Charges Filed Against Ex-Morristown Housing Authority Chair

MORRISTOWN, NJ — The former chair of the Morristown Housing Authority (MHA) has been accused of stealing more than $24,000 from the local agency, according to the probable cause affidavit obtained by Patch.

Maureen Denman, who was appointed chairperson for the MHA in 2017, has been 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.

According to the probable cause affidavit, the charges were brought against Denman on Sept. 29 after MHA Executive Director Keith Kinard reported the suspected fraud to the Morris County Prosecutor's Office in early August.

If Denman is convicted of both third-degree felonies, she could face a maximum of 10 years in state prison along with additional fines.

According to Detective Paul Papamarkos of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, who prepared the probable cause affidavit, Denman made the 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."

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.

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.

The mission of the housing authority is to provide decent, safe and affordable housing to low- and moderate-income families and seniors in the community. "We aspire to instill a sense of pride in those who reside in our developments while working to enhance their quality of life," the MHA website states.

Martha Ballard is now the acting chairperson for the MHA; however, Denman is still listed online as the acting treasurer of the Morristown Democratic Committee.