Ex-Morris County court officer admits $112,875 theft

A former Morris County court official pleaded guilty Monday to official misconduct, admitting to a judge that he kept $112,875 in civil judgment monies he collected that he was supposed to turn over to creditors.

Scott Forsbrey, 53, of Randolph, pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Robert Gilson in Morristown and agreed to make restitution of $112,875 to the state of New Jersey.

As part of the plea agreement reached between defense lawyer Sebastian Bio and Morris County Assistant Prosecutor Sahil Kabse, Forsbrey also has agreed to never seek public employment again in New Jersey. Kabse has recommended that Forsbrey be sentenced on Sept. 18 to three years in prison, with two years to be served before parole consideration.

Forsbrey was employed as a special civil part officer, also referred to as a constable, and his job involved collecting civil judgments from parties and making sure the money was turned over to creditors or parties winning a judgment. He was entitled to a commission but knowingly kept more than he was allowed to between January 2010 and April 2012.

“I never intended to steal it. I mismanaged the account,” Forsbrey told the judge, referring to the special government account into which collected funds were supposed to be deposited.

The judge had Forsbrey clarify that he knew he was taking more money than he was permitted.

Forsbrey has agreed to pay $24,000 of the restitution by July 6 and said he will pay more at sentencing time. The theft, discovered in an audit undertaken by the state Administrative Office of the Courts, led to Forsbrey resigning in 2012, according to authorities.

Staff Writer Peggy Wright: 973-267-1142; pwright@GannettNJ.com.