Ex-NJ Education Dept. Worker Sentenced in Money Order Scheme

A former clerk at New Jersey's Education Department has been sentenced to 364 days in jail for stealing money orders sent by teachers in payment for teaching certificates.

Authorities say 60-year-old Dennis Scott of Ewing stole a total of $615 in three separate checks. He pleaded guilty last month to theft and was sentenced Tuesday.

The state Attorney General's Office says Scott's duties included opening mail at the Education Department.

They say kept $190 from one money order, split $225 with an accomplice who has since died and gave another check to Education Department colleague Dora Hall. She also pleaded guilty to theft and was sentenced Tuesday to a year of probation.

Both workers were fired and are now barred from public employment.

Copyright 2012 The Associated Press