Former councilwoman denies theft allegation

HOWELL — Kimberly Alvarez, a former township councilwoman and former municipal employee, says she is innocent of theft charges that have been lodged against her.

On Sept. 23, Alvarez was arrested following an investigation conducted by the Howell Police Department and the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

Authorities are alleging that Alvarez stole in excess of $17,000 while she was employed by the municipality following her term of service on the governing body.

On Sept. 24, Alvarez met her $50,000 bail and was released from custody, according to Cynthia Scott, a spokeswoman for the Monmouth County Sheriff's Office.

Monmouth County First Assistant Prosecutor Peter E. Warshaw Jr. said the charges Alvarez is facing include second-degree official misconduct and third-degree theft by deception.

During a telephone interview, Alvarez proclaimed her innocence.

"I have not done anything to compromise the residents in Howell," she said, adding that she is in shock and never expected anything like this to occur.

"This completely came out of the blue. I haven't been privy to any investigation. I know I keep impeccable records and I was never questioned about financial records. I did not steal $17,000. I did not steal a dime," she said.

Alvarez, who served on the Township Council from 1999 through 2002, was employed in Howell's land use, housing, code enforcement and public works departments as a clerk-typist from July 2004 through June 2008.

She said she finds the allegations of misconduct absurd, insulting and disappointing.

"I spent eight years of my life working closely with my community. I took the responsibility of the budget very seriously," she said. "When I ran for council, I really felt that I could bring something to the table because of my background."

Alvarez said there is no amount of money in the world that would make her compromise her integrity and disappoint her children.

"I was not raised like that. I was not brought up that way. This is an insult to me, but the biggest injustice has been committed against my children. It's very disappointing that they feel I would compromise the township," she said.

Alvarez questioned the findings of the investigation and said she wants to know where investigators got their information.

"Ultimately, you can't be prosecuted for something you didn't do," she said.

— Toynett Hall