Crime & Safety
Couple Charged With Stealing $15K Rejects Plea Deal
Agreement would have landed pair in jail.
A Hopatcong couple accused of stealing $15,000 from a borough youth soccer organization rejected a plea deal Monday moring that would have landed them in jail.
Stacey Siegel, 35, and Matt Simon, 37, were with third-degree theft and conspiracy to commit theft. Police said the couple used the Hopatcong Hawks' money for a vacation to California in April 2010.
Siegel and Simon pled not guilty to Judge N. Peter Conforti, turning down a plea deal from Assistant Prosecutor Rochelle Jones that would have given both Simon and Siegel 45 days in Sussex County Jail, joint restitution set at $20,000, and probation.
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A status conference is scheduled for Oct. 31. A Simon and Siegel on Aug. 18.
The charges, investigated by Hopatcong Det. Larry Shaver and Sussex County Prosecutor's Office Det. Dean Voris, allege the pair stole the money from the Hopatcong Hawks soccer club from September 2009 through October 2010. Siegel is the club's former treasurer while Simon served as president.
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Police said the couple purchased airline tickets, hotel accommodations, a car rental and gas and made several ATM withdrawals using Hopatcong Hawks funds.
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