Custodians caught, charged with stealing from school

Wednesday, January 28, 2009

JERSEY CITY, NJ — Two Dickinson High School custodians are charged for their roles in the theft of school equipment, according to The Jersey Journal.

Benjamin Smith is charged with theft while Patrick McCarthy, a prominent figure in local Democratic Party politics, is charged with receiving stolen property, the story stated.

Mayor Jerramiah T. Healy said: "As every defendant, Mr. McCarthy is presumed innocent until proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt. The scant information we have received is that Mr. McCarthy has a plausible explanation and a very reasonable defense for this charge."

The equipment stolen from the school between December 23, 2008 and January 12, 2009 is worth $1,321 and included two microphones, a cable and a speaker that are part of a larger wireless speaker system, the story noted.

Smith has worked for the district for 14 years and earns $52,657 annually. McCarthy, a principal custodian, has worked for the district since 1980 and earns $46,218 a year, the story added.