Former New Jersey Apartment Association bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft, forging checks

PLUMSTED - The former bookkeeper for the New Jersey Apartment Association has pleaded guilty to theft after authorities say she forged checks totaling over a quarter of a million dollars, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Thursday.

Karly Simon-Sapp, 50, of Plumsted Township, pled guilty relative to her former position as bookkeeper for the New Jersey Apartment Association, Billhimer said. At the time of her sentencing on September 20, the state will be seeking a term of five years in New Jersey State Prison, and restitution in the amount of $357,250.

An investigation by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office and Plumsted Township Police Department revealed that between January 2016 and January 2022, Simon-Sapp - as a bookkeeper for the association – forged the signatures of both the association’s president and vice-president on more than 100 checks written out to either herself or to cash, according to Billhimer. She then deposited the forged checks, totaling $357,250, into her personal bank account and used the funds for herself.

On July 10, 2023, Simon-Sapp was taken into custody at her residence by detectives from the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad and officers from the Plumsted Township Police Department. She was processed and served with the charges via summons pending an appearance in Ocean County Superior Court.

Jenna Calderón covers breaking news and cold cases in Monmouth and Ocean counties. Before coming to the Press, she covered The Queen City for Cincinnati Magazine in Ohio. Contact her at 330-590-3903; jcalderon@gannettnj.com

This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Former apartment association bookkeeper pleads guilty to theft