Atlantic County elections official indicted on charges of theft, official misconduct

Michael Gibbons

MAYS LANDING - An Atlantic County Grand Jury handed up an indictment Sept. 10 against a 33 year-old Stratford, Camden County man for theft by deception and official misconduct offenses, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon G. Tyner said in a release.

According to the indictment, on or about March 14, 2017, Michael Gibbons, who served as deputy chief of the Atlantic County Superintendent of Elections, allegedly committed the offense of theft by deception and official misconduct by adding non-worked overtime hours to an employees' time card reports in order for the individual to receive additional money in their paycheck. On two of these occasions, Gibbons then solicited the money back from the employee for his personal use, the indictment stated. Gibbons also used public funds to pay two employees to clean out his mother's attic. These acts are in excess of $500 and crimes of the second and third degree, Tyner said.

Gibbons is indicted on the following charges:

• 2 counts of third degree theft by deception


• 1 count of fourth degree theft by deception


• 3 counts of second degree official misconduct


• 1 count second degree pattern of official misconduct

The investigation is being handled by the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office Official Corruption Unit. Chief Assistant Prosecutor John Flammer represents the state in this matter. The 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.