He went from a "humanitarian power couple" to a convicted crooked divorcé after being caught cheating Maple Shade taxpayers.

A former school district employee will be sentenced to four years in prison and lose his pension after pleading guilty to stealing money and health benefits from the district.

Salvatore Yacovelli, 46, of Barrington, pleaded guilty this week to second-degree insurance fraud and third-degree official misconduct.

Authorities say that Yacovelli allowed his ex-wife to continue to receive health benefits through his job by claiming that she was still married to him from December 2011 through November 2016. Insurance claims for her cost the taxpayers $47,239 during those years.

Yacovelli, who worked as a payroll and benefits specialist, also took out nearly $5,000 from a district bank account in order to repay a personal loan, the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office said.

In 2011, the couple appeared in their local newspaper as the "Humanitarian power couple" for their work helping an orphanage in Haiti.

As part of the plea deal, Yacovelli will have to repay the district and he will be barred from public employment in the state after he is out of prison.

He remains free until his sentencing Nov. 8.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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