Morris Plains Patrolman Adam J. Kylmko, charged this week with theft, is suspected of bilking funds from his P.B.A. chapter, where he has served as treasurer, according to arrest records.
Klymko, 30, allegedly took money from the Operations and Fund Drive accounts of PBA Local 254 and used it for personal expenses, online purchases and activities. He also sent money to family and friends, states a probable cause affidavit filed by Detective Brad Palatucci of the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office.
As PBA treasuer, Klymko knew “he was the only one who could see or had access to the bank accounts,” the affidavit says.
However, PBA President Anne Marie Ferris, a patrol officer, became suspicious and contacted Police Chief Michael Koroski, who reached out to the prosecutor’s office, the document states.
Kylmko allegedly converted the money to his own use via cash withdrawals, Venmo, Cashapp / Square Cash, Money Gram and Visa Debit Card authorizations. To cover his tracks, the officer liquidated a PBA mutual fund to maintain positive balances in the accounts he was draining, according to the affidavit.
The complaint does not say how much money Klymko allegedly stole. The third-degree felony charge of theft spans amounts from $5,000 to $75,000. If convicted, he faces maximum penalties of five years in prison and $10,000 in fines.
A message left for Klymko at police headquarters was not immediately returned. The PBA directed all questions to the prosecutor’s office.
Asked if Klymko has been suspended, Chief Koroski and Mayor Jason Karr on Thursday declined to comment and also referred questions to the prosecutor’s office, which also had no comment.
Klymko was hired by the Morris Plains police in January 2012. He was issued a summons and must appear in Superior Court, Morristown, on July 8, 2020.
If an employee at a corporation, retail job, trade, etc… were caught stealing they would be let go immediately. That employee would not be trusted anymore. I personally don’t trust this person to be a police officer. I don’t trust his judgement or his moral integrity, and the last job someone of weak character should have is as a police officer. He can go do something else, just don’t give him a gun and the ability to enforce the law because he clearly is in this game to cut corners and satisfy is own selfish wants.
Jeff: you’re either insane or just joking
Margret: Brilliant
I think they should let him keep the money. it was probably closer to the $5000 figure. It is probably a big misunderstanding. Cops are stressed enough right now. They need to let this go.
Years ago, I noticed that rarely were funds from groups like scouts, service organizations. etc. turned over to new officers by prior treasurers or office holders. who were rarely held accountable. A simple preventative measures was to require 2 signatures to sign off on any financial report or expenditure. Wether it was campaign finances or a public body, like the Parking Authority, somehow ,accounts remained accurate with this simple oversight. Preventing the temptation to ” borrow ” from these accounts can prevent this from happening..