A Stockton University graduate is now the leader of Atlantic County’s Victim Witness Unit.
Raymond Royster spent the last dozen years as a case manager for the state Division of Child Protection and Permanency, Atlantic County Prosecutor Damon Tyner said.
Royster will oversee the previously all-female office, which includes five advocates who work with surviving victims and families as criminal cases go through the Superior Court.
The announcement came Tuesday, a day after a complaint three longtime Prosecutor's Office employees filed against Tyner became public.
Amid accusations of mortgage fraud and ethics violations, the letter includes a section relating to the Victim Witness Unit.
The unit's acting supervisor — who the complaint does not name — was disciplined after she asked for the state to look into alleged misuse of Violence Against Women Act grant money, according to the complaint signed by fired Deputy First Assistant Prosecutor Diane Ruberton, retired detective Lt. Heather McManus and Assistant Prosecutor Donna Fetzer.
The funds were used to buy a vehicle meant for victim counselors on staff, the letter said. But Tyner assigned it to First Assistant Prosecutor Cary Shill.
After the employee asked the grant manager in the state Attorney General's Office to look into it, the officer "directed FAP Shill that he was not permitted to use the vehicle and it must be used for purposes associated with victims," the letter states.
Tyner's office had no comment on the issue.
The allegedly disciplined employee had served as acting supervisor since December.
Royster took over the position as permanent supervisor on Monday.
A release from Tyner's office called Royster "a husband, father, son, brother, uncle, social worker, photographer, triathlete and an alumni of Stockton University."
He has a bachelor of science in Public Health Administration and a minor in Business Administration.
Royster is this year's recipient of Stockton University’s Council of Black Faculty and Staff’s Distinguished Alumni Award.
He and his wife, Mya, have two sons, Raymond and Myles.
