A suspended lieutenant from the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office has been indicted on charges of stealing narcotics from an evidence vault. He deposited up to $600,000 in the process according to state officials.
Cedar Grove resident Kevin T. Matthew, 48, faces charges of tampering with drug evidence, financial facilitation of criminal activity, structuring transactions, and filing fraudulent tax returns, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced in Wednesday.
In a statement, Platkin said: “The alleged misconduct by the defendant represents a stunning, tremendous disservice to the public. This case highlights the corrosive effects that corruption can have on public safety and trust. Instead of making Bergen County safer, the indictment alleges the defendant repeatedly withdrew from the evidence vault large amounts of dangerous drugs that had already been seized by law enforcement. This alleged conduct was a betrayal of this officer’s colleagues, his agency, his community, and his oath, and the grand jury’s findings reflect the severity of this alleged behavior.”
Platkin’s full statement can be read here.
Authorities say Matthew stole narcotics from an evidence vault and made $600,000 in suspicious cash deposits. Prosecutors allege he withdrew drugs, including cocaine and fentanyl, over nearly five years, altering evidence and compromising cases.
Matthew is accused of using law enforcement databases to target narcotics cases and taking drugs in amounts suggesting intent to sell. Officials say he structured bank transactions to evade federal reporting and failed to report the income.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin called the case a betrayal of law enforcement. Matthew’s attorney, Charles J. Sciarra, criticized the prosecution as biased, saying his client maintains his innocence.
The indictment includes charges of financial crimes, drug distribution, and official misconduct. The investigation is ongoing.
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