Former MVC Auditor Pleads Guilty to Theft Charge

State prosecutors say a former auditor for the New Jersey Motor Vehicle Commission has admitted falsifying audit records and time sheets to cover up unexcused absences.

Fifty-two-year-old James Pluchino of Manahawkin faces a 364-day jail term after pleading guilty Monday to theft by deception. He also must pay $9,313 in restitution to the MVC and will be barred from public employment in New Jersey.

Pluchino failed to perform a large number of his assigned audits of private inspection facilities between March and August 2010. He was responsible for providing them with inspection stickers and auditing their documentation to make sure all stickers were accounted for.

Pluchino falsely reported that he had completed the audits and submitted time sheets indicating he worked on days when he did not perform any duties.