Jul 3, 2008 3:35 pm US/Eastern
Newark Sanitation Workers Accused Of Stealing Gas
Employees Said To Have Taken Thousands Of Gallons For Themselves, Friends
NEWARK, N.J. (CBS) ―
Four Newark sanitation department workers are accused of stealing thousands of gallons of gas from city pumps.
Eric Brown, 36, Michael Payton, 46, David Greene, 41, and Paul Drayton, 33, all of Newark, were charged with second-degree official misconduct and third-degree theft. They are expected to be arraigned before an Essex County judge on July 28.
Officials say the four workers used city-issued gas cards to purchase gas for themselves and their friends at municipal pumps between January and December of 2007. Brown allegedly scammed the city for the most gas, taking more than 15,000 gallons valued at about $45,000.
If convicted, each of the men faces up to 10 years in state prison.
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