March 27, 2009 - 3:15pm
News

Former Orange City Council member pleads guilty to faking meal expenses

A former president of the Orange City Council pleaded guilty today in state court to fraudulently billing the city for meal expenses.

Vivian Gaunt, 71, admitted that she billed the city for meals that she never ate during her travels to conferences as a representative of the city over a six year period.  

A press release issued by the State Attorney General’s office did not say the specific amount that Gaunt billed the city for, but it did say that she has agreed to pay $250 in restitution.  

The Attorney General’s office will recommend that Grant is sentenced to probation.  

Gaunt served on the council for 12 years, retiring at the end of her term last year.  

The case stems from the state’s investigation of former Assemblyman and Orange Mayor Mims Hackett for over-billing the city for $5,000 travel expenses he never incurred.  He has been convicted of various federal and state charges.   

Matt Friedman is a PolitickerNJ.com Reporter and can be reached via email at matt@politicsnj.com.