Cops: South Jersey Woman Fakes Being a Public Official, Threatens Business Over COVID Concerns
Authorities in Burlington County have arrested a woman who they say impersonated a public official and threatened to shut-down a business over COVID-19 concerns.
What the woman in question was trying to accomplish is still being determined, but Burlington County Prosecutor Scott Coffina says Jennifer Strumph of Evesham has been charged with Computer Crime (second degree), Criminal Coercion with Intent to Harm Reputation (third degree), and Assuming a False Identity (third degree). She was taken into custody on March 4th and released following a court appearance.
Coffina's office says an investigation began last year when Strumph contacted a local plumbing business and pretended to be a contact tracer with the Burlington County Health Department. He says, "The business owner subsequently paid employees more than $5,100 in overtime to comply with the requirements set forth by Strumph, who also created a fictitious email address to help make the impersonation believable."
The scam was exposed when employees became suspicious and contacted police. Cops were able to determine that she was not working for the health department.
The investigation was conducted by the prosecutor’s office with help from the Evesham Township Police Department. The case will now be prepared for a grand jury to determine an indictment.
PEEK INSIDE: Derek Jeter is Selling His Stunning Hudson Valley Lakeside Castle For Discounted Price