Burlco Couple Charged With Ripping Off NJ Disabled Program

TRENTON, N.J. (CBS) --  A Burlington County couple stands accused of ripping off the state of New Jersey to the tune of almost $300,000.
One of them worked for the state as a bookkeeper.
43-year-old Suzanne Eyman and her husband, 49-year-old Stephen Muller, are jointly facing second degree theft charges after Eyman, a bookkeeper for the state Division of Developmental Disabilities, allegedly set up a vendor account in the name of "Suzanne Muller", using Stephen's social security number.

Over nine years, it's alleged Eyman created false invoices for services rendered, putting the money in their own pockets.

Elie Honig, director of the state Division of Criminal Justice, told KYW Newsradio, "to see a state employee stealing hundreds of thousands of dollars that were intended for the care of some of the most disadvantaged people in this state, is really beyond the pale."

It's alleged the Bordentown couple used at least 2 bank accounts to cover their tracks. Prosecutors were called in after Eyman's supervisors conducted their own investigation. "I've been a prosecutor for over a decade," Honig said, "and one thing I've seen is anytime there's a pot of money, unscrupulous people will have their hands in it. But this case is really a new low."

If convicted, Eyman and Muller could face 5 to 10 years in state prison.