July 3, 2008: A Morris County Grand Jury returned a twelve count indictment charging Dennis Gerber, age 57, of Saddle Brook, with:

six counts of Second Degree Official Misconduct
five counts of Third Degree Theft
one count of Fourth Degree Theft

Gerber, the former Chief Financial Officer of Lincoln Park, was arrested on two separate occasions as a result of a continuing investigation conducted by Detective Sergeant Michael Hackett of the Lincoln Park Police Department and Detective Barry Bittenmaster of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Specialized Crimes Unit.

Gerber was arrested on February 14, 2008 after an investigation revealed that on February 11, 2008 the Mayor's Office of the Borough of Lincoln Park discovered evidence revealing the misappropriation of funds by the defendant. The Mayor's Office immediately notified the Lincoln Park Police Department, which resulted in a joint investigation with the Morris County Prosecutor's Office.

The initial phase of the investigation revealed that Mr. Gerber misappropriated Borough funds for his personal benefit during January of 2008, in an amount exceeding $10,000.00. Mr. Gerber resigned his position as Chief Financial Officer of the Borough of Lincoln Park on February 8, 2008 prior to the information about the alleged theft being uncovered. Further investigation revealed that on or about January 17, 2007, Gerber deposited a check payable to the Borough of Lincoln Park into a bank account and subsequently wrote four checks to himself totaling $10,000.00

Prosecutor Bianchi stated "This indictment evidences the Morris County Prosecutor's Office's commitment to ferret out public corruption and bringing to justice people in public caretaking positions who dare to abuse the public trust by misappropriating public funds, and to bring to justice those who convert hard-earned taxpayer dollars, for their own personal use. I commend the Mayor's office, as well as the Lincoln Park Police Department for their reporting this matter to us, and cooperating fully with our investigation."

Despite these pending charges, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt following a jury trial at which the defendant has all of his rights guaranteed by the U.S. and New Jersey Constitutions and relevant state law.

This case is being handled by Assistant Prosecutor Robert Weber, Esq. Gerber is represented by Deborah Gross, Esq.

Media Contact: Agent Robyn D'Onofrio