Former Barnegat Education Association Official Accused of Skimming Funds

Twenty-three thousand dollars belonging to the Barnegat Education Association ended up in the pockets of the man who spent two years as its treasurer, say Ocean County investigators who arrested him this morning.

Wayne A. Wedderman, 42, of Forked River, faces a second-degree charge of computer theft and a third-degree count of theft, according to information from the office of County Prosecutor Joseph D. Coronato.

Board members reported the fund discrepancy in two accounts that led to the opening of the probe on October 21, authorities said.

Wedderman is accused of writing checks payable to himself and to member of his family, violating association by-laws by opening a debit card account, and using the card for point of sale-type purchases and ATM withdrawals.

Wedderman was apprehended without incident and placed in the Ocean County Jail in Toms River, with bail set at $20,000 and no 10-percent payment option, authorities said.