A Ventnor code enforcement officer with the City of Ventnor was arrested on Tuesday, August 22, 2023.
Michelle Calderon, 37, from Egg Harbor Township, NJ was charged for the following crimes:
- Second-degree Pattern of Official Misconduct
- Second-degree Official Misconduct
- Second-degree Misapplication of Entrusted Property
- Second-degree Altering Computer Software to Commit Theft
The charges stem from an investigation that began when the City of Ventnor observed a discrepancy within its financial ledgers.
It is alleged that from 2021 through 2023, Calderon took cash transactions from citizens and businesses intended as payment for various city permits and kept the cash for herself. She would then alter the balance sheets using a city-owned computer to cover up the discrepancies.
The total amount of cash taken exceeds $75,000.
The Ventnor Code Enforcement office is managed by Jimmie Agnesino. He is responsible for overseeing construction permitting and inspection materials.
This was a joint investigation by the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office’s Professional Standards & Accountability Unit and Ventnor City Police Department.
From BreakingAC.com: A Ventnor Code Enforcement Officer allegedly stole more than $91,000 from Ventnor and then covered up the crimes.
According to BreakingAC.com: Calderon covered up discrepancy by removing cash revenue from paper copies of Excel sheets saved for annual audit, according to the affidavit of probable cause obtained by BreakingAC.
Suspicions were first raised June 16, sparking the joint investigation by the Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards & Accountability Unit and Ventnor police.
These charges are merely an accusation and not proof of guilt. In all criminal cases, a charged defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Anyone with information about this incident or other serious crimes are asked to call the Atlantic County Prosecutor’s Office at 609-909-7800 or go to the Prosecutor’s Office Website at ACPO.
Supervisor is Agesino. Inmates running the asylum
Imagine how this Ventnor Code Enforcement arrest could be connected to Short Term Rental problems.
For the past 28 years working as a realtor and a builder, I have found that the Ventnor Department of Inspection, headed by Jimmy Agostina,, to always be professional in his responsibilities to insure the safety of the city’s buildings and land. It is very unfortunate that this one inspector be dishonest.