Former Florham Park Board of Education President Indicted on Theft Charges
Published on April 15, 2014
Acting Morris County Prosecutor Fredric M. Knapp and Parsippany Troy Hills Police Chief Paul Philipps announce that John MacFarlane, 52 years old, of San Tan Valley, Arizona, formerly of Florham Park, New Jersey, was indicted today after an investigation revealed that he allegedly stole approximately $198,000 from his employer.
MacFarlane was employed by The Music Shop, 56 Fanny Road, Boonton, New Jersey, as the financial controller for over twenty-two years where he had complete autonomy over the finances of the company. He acted as the bookkeeper, paid all the bills, and had the authority to write and sign checks on behalf of the company. Between February 26, 2007 and March 4, 2011, MacFarlane allegedly stole money from the Music Shop's checking account and used it to make payments on his personal credit card in the approximate amount of $198,000.
The investigation, conducted by Morris County Prosecutor's Office Detective Leah Atterbury, revealed that the defendant allegedly had been making false ledger entries into the company's computer accounting software program in order to hide the theft. The software consisted of numerous ledgers used to track the company's money. Allegedly, MacFarlane would enter a debit on one of the expense ledgers that ultimately went to pay his personal credit card. In order to hide the credit card payment he allegedly would then create a false credit into another ledger within the company's computer database in order to zero out the expense accounts.
The investigation further revealed that money was removed allegedly from The Music Shop's checking account and then went to pay MacFarlane's credit card. A financial analysis uncovered that defendant used his credit card for unauthorized personal expenses including plane tickets and hotels.
MacFarlane was the President of the Florham Park Board of Education for 7 years, from 2002 to 2009. He stepped down in October of 2009, citing personal reasons for his decision to leave the school board.
Defendant was indicted on one count of Second Degree Theft of Movable Property. The State is represented by Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG Laura Magnone.
Acting Prosecutor Knapp thanks the Parsippany Troy-Hills Police Department and the Morris County Prosecutor's Office Financial Crimes Unit, whose efforts contributed to this result.
The charges and allegations contained in the indictment are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless and until proven guilty.
Any inquiries can be directed to First Assistant Morris County Prosecutor/SDAG Thomas Zelante at 973-285-6252 or tzelante@co.morris.nj.us.