A former New Jersey Turnpike toll collector, John Filippine pleaded guilty today to looting his employers of at least $10,000 during a scheme in which he took toll tickets from interchanges three and five, then substituted them for tickets from motorists who paid larger tolls and pocketed the cash.
Filippine, who had more than 20 years on the job, was caught with his hand in the toll cookie jar after an internal audit system found suspicious activity in March 2011. Filippine and two other toll collectors, William Fagan, of Clementon and Glenn Huryan, of Magnolia were arrested on the job and charged with theft. All three were immediately suspended from their $66,000 a year positions. Fagan, 62, and Huryan, 55, pleaded guilty in July.
When Filippine saw New Jersey State Troopers arresting his cohorts, the 58-year-old Mansfield Township resident attempted to run from the Exit 5 toll plaza, but was captured a short time later. The veteran employee tried to toss some of the alternate stubs he possessed before he was nabbed, so prosecutors added an additional charge of evidence tampering.
Under a plea agreement, Filippine faces 364 days in jail, probation and $2,282 in restitution when he’s sentenced October 7. He will also be permanently barred from public employment in New Jersey.
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