Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has announced charges against Colleen Witten, the former chief financial officer and comptroller of a Burlington County-based not-for-profit organization. She is accused of stealing over $2.5 million from the company, engaging in money laundering, and committing tax evasion. Her husband, Allan Witten, faces charges for receiving stolen property.

Colleen Witten, 55, from Buena, New Jersey, is charged with theft by unlawful taking (second degree), forgery (fourth degree), financial facilitation of criminal activity (first-degree money laundering), failure to pay tax (third degree), and filing fraudulent tax returns (third degree). Allan Witten also faces a charge of receiving stolen property (third degree).

"New Jersey corporate executives who abuse positions of financial trust must be held accountable," stated Attorney General Platkin. "The conduct alleged in this case is particularly harmful because the defendant allegedly stole from an organization trying to help adults with disabilities and used the ill-gotten gains to enrich herself."

DCJ Director Theresa L. Hilton expressed concern over the alleged theft: "The alleged theft of funds from a non-profit corporation that is doing important work is especially troubling."

Legal Chief Pablo Quiñones added: "Colleen Witten once served as a trusted financial officer for an organization helping adults with disabilities. She allegedly abused that trust by stealing millions of dollars from the organization for her own personal benefit."

From May 2019 to March 2024, Colleen Witten held positions at the not-for-profit providing services to adults with disabilities. It is alleged she misappropriated approximately $2.58 million directly from its bank accounts.

Between June 2023 and March 2024, she reportedly transferred more than $500,000 to a landscaping company under her control to conceal the source of funds. Additionally, between July 2020 and April 2024, she allegedly failed to pay income taxes amounting to $174,480.

Allan Witten's charges relate to him knowingly receiving $189,000 on March 7, 2024.

Deputy Attorney General Veronica Daddario will prosecute this case under Legal Chief Quiñones' supervision along with Deputy Legal Chief Brendan Stewart and Deputy Chief Adam Heck.

The complaints' charges are accusations; defendants are presumed innocent until proven guilty.

First-degree financial facilitation carries severe penalties including fines up to $500,000 and imprisonment between 10-20 years in state prison with specific minimum terms. Second-degree crimes can result in up to ten years imprisonment and fines up to $150,000 while third-degree crimes carry sentences up to five years imprisonment with fines reaching $15,000. Fourth-degree offenses may lead up to eighteen months imprisonment alongside fines up till $10,000.

These charges stemmed from investigations conducted by detectives within DCJ assigned OSFFCP alongside investigators from New Jersey Division Taxation whose assistance was acknowledged by Attorney General Platkin.

Defense counsel representing Colleen Witten is Brendan Kavanagh Esq., Millville NJ whereas Vincent J Pancari Esq., Vineland NJ represents Allan Witten.