Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced that on March 21, 2023, Lisa Dowd, 52, of Barnegat pled guilty to Theft before the Honorable Linda G. Baxter, J.S.C. (retired and serving on recall). At the time of her sentencing on June 2, 2023, the State will be recommending a term of three years New Jersey State Prison. Dowd will also be required to make restitution to the victim in the amount of $108,415.00.
An investigation by the Barnegat Township Police Department revealed that Dowd was an employee in the office of a marina in Barnegat Township. Between January 2018 and December 2021, Dowd forged numerous checks drawn on various bank accounts belonging to the marina. Dowd made some of the forged checks payable to herself and deposited them in her personal checking account. Additional checks were forged and used to pay for her utilities and her personal credit card bill. In total, the investigation revealed $108,415 in money that was stolen from the marina.
On November 23, 2022, Dowd surrendered herself at Barnegat Township Police Headquarters, where she was processed and charged on a summons pending future appearances in Ocean County Superior Court.
Prosecutor Billhimer acknowledges the diligent efforts of Senior Assistant Prosecutor Christopher Heisler who handled the case on behalf of the State, as well as the Barnegat Township Police Department Detective Bureau for their efforts in connection with this investigation resulting in Dowd’s guilty plea, and soon, her state prison sentence.