MAYS LANDING – Detectives from the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Financial Crime Unit charged Laurie Montgomery, 53, of Linwood, with stealing more than $150,000 while acting as the treasurer of the Linwood Parent-Teacher Organization (PTO) and the Linwood Street Hockey Association.
Montgomery is charged with two counts of theft by failing to make the required disposition of property received, crimes of the third and second degree.
The investigation began in August 2021, when suspicions emerged from the Linwood PTO that Montgomery was allegedly misappropriating funds and failing to maintain an accurate ledger containing the financial records of the organization. The Prosecutor’s Office said it was discovered that Montgomery allegedly withdrew money from the account for events wholly unrelated to organization events. She allegedly presented members of the board with a false balance sheet purportedly indicating there was more than $20,000 in the account when the actual bank statements showed less than $2,000 remained. A review of bank statements from 2017 to 2021 showed that more than $34,000 was allegedly used by Montgomery for personal use.
While investigating Montgomery’s role as PTO treasurer, detectives said they found a suspicious check made payable by her to the Linwood Street Hockey Association. Further investigation into the Linwood Street Hockey Association account, of which Montgomery was also the treasurer, alleged misappropriation of funds in that account as well. Detectives discovered an amount of more than $150,000 was allegedly stolen and used by Montgomery for her personal use.
Detectives allege she had made checks payable to the PTO, her family members, and used the account debit card to withdraw cash and make personal purchases both in New Jersey and out of state.
If convicted of these offenses, Montgomery faces up to 10 years in New Jersey state prison.
The Prosecutor’s Office notes these charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information regarding this incident or other serious crimes please contact the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at (609) 909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office website or by clicking on the link ACPO.Tips to provide information by filling out the form anonymously on the Submit a Tip page.
People can also call Crime Stoppers at (609) 652-1234 or 1-800-658-8477 (TIPS) or visit the Crime Stoppers website at http://www.crimestoppersatlantic.com/. Crime Stoppers offers cash rewards for information leading to the arrest and indictment of those who commit crimes in Atlantic County.