A Mays Landing woman who worked as a case worker was sentenced to jail for stealing the identity of a client and using it to open credit card accounts.
Tierra Slade, 29, worked at the Rutgers University Southern Regional Child Care Resource and Referral Agency, but was fired after an investigation by the Hamilton Township Police Department and the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau South Squad.
She bought $3,559 worth of furniture with a credit card opened using the client's identity. She made no payments toward that account, and opened lines of credit at a clothing store and a second furniture store, although she did not use those.
She was unsuccessful in trying to open several other credit card accounts, including a $20,000 line of credit with a bank.
Slade is permanently barred from public employment.
She pleaded guilty in December to one count of theft by unlawful taking. She also must pay full restitution.
Slade was sentenced Friday to 364 days in the Atlantic County Justice Facility — the maximum sentence without going to prison. She must then serve 12 months of probation.