Ex-official admits falsifying time sheets to steal overtime

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A Pennsylvania man who was a manager with New Jersey's state transportation department has admitted to falsifying time sheets to steal nearly $20,000 in overtime.

Harish Bhanderi pleaded guilty to theft by deception and faces a 364-day county jail term when he's sentenced March 20. He also will have to pay $19,905 in restitution and will be barred from holding public employment in New Jersey.

The 53-year-old resident of Newtown, a Philadelphia suburb, admitted Friday that he submitted time sheets indicating he was entitled to emergency overtime for responding after hours to roadway incidents. But authorities say Bhanderi simply drove past sites where emergencies had occurred days or even weeks earlier.

Bhanderi had been a manager of the DOT's Roadway Maintenance, Engineering and Operations section. He was suspended without pay after being charged.