Four former city parking officials have pleaded guilty to stealing hundreds in parking fees.
NEW BRUNSWICK -- Four former officials of the New Brunswick Parking Authority have pleaded guilty to stealing more than $500 in parking fees from the city agency.
The investigation found that the four employees "worked as parking valets at two Dennis Street restaurants and conspired to sell parking spots to motorists, whose cars were parked at the Wolfson parking deck," according to the county prosecutor's office.
The four had been charged with plotting to take cash payments to park cars illegally between January and March 2016, authorities said
Karran Buchhan, 19, of Franklin Township; Ferrad West, 23, of East Brunswick; and Joshue Castillo-Mendoza, 25, of South Brunswick, pleaded guilty on Monday to third-degree conspiracy to commit theft, authorities said.
They are scheduled to be sentenced at the Middlesex County Courthouse on May 22 before Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas.
In addition, Atis Mir-Merced, 19, of South Brunswick, also pleaded guilty to a conspiracy charge, but will be allowed to enter into the pretrial intervention program for first offenders, authorities said.
All four will pay the parking authority $200 in restitution and "will be forever barred from holding a public job," authorities said.
An investigation was launched after parking authority officials learned of the thefts and contacted the city police department.
The agreements with the former officials were reached with Middlesex County Assistant Prosecutor Christine D'Elia.
Spencer Kent may be reached at skent@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @SpencerMKent. Find the Find NJ.com on Facebook.