JACKSON — A Jackson man has been charged with theft, according to Ocean County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.
Eugene M. Nieratko, 42, is charged with third-degree theft by deception for the misappropriation of association finances.
Nieratko surrendered to the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Aug. 28.
He was the president of the NJ High School Rodeo Association. The county alleges he accepted money from families to cover insurance and fees between Sept. 1, 2016 and Aug. 31, 2017. Families alerted authorities when they suspected the money was not being put toward those services.
Nieratko allegedly took the money in the form of cash and checks that he requested be made out to his name. He would keep the cash and cash the checks at a check cashing facility in Lakehurst. In all, he allegedly stole $32,000.
He faces a future court date.
