An Egg Harbor Township woman who stepped down from her seat on the school board had a criminal charge pending when she was elected, BreakingAC has learned.
Yolanda Cooper, 52, was in court Tuesday for allegedly providing false information about her criminal history when she applied for her permit to purchase a firearm.
She was charged in August 2018, before winning the unexpired term by three votes.
While Cooper indicated on the form that she had not been convicted of a crime for which she faced more than six months in jail, her record showed otherwise, the detective wrote in the affidavit.
"After reviewing her criminal history, it was learned that she had several criminal convictions," Detective J. Lancaster wrote.
While Cooper served sentences including 120 days and 90 days in jail, she admitted to knowing she faced more than six months in those cases, according to the affidavit.
Earlier this year, Cooper stepped down after winning an unexpired term on the Egg Harbor Township Board of Education over Michael Price, leaving the seat vacant for weeks before Price was appointed.
At the time, she cited family commitments, according to The Press of Atlantic City.
But it's unclear if Cooper would have been able to take the seat, since a background check is required within 30 days of being sworn in.
Cooper referred comment to her attorney, although it's not clear who that is.
In court Thursday, attorney Joe Swift told Superior Court Judge Patricia Wild that his client was asking for two weeks to consult with another attorney, and possibly hire new counsel.
"This got all the way to PTC (pretrial conference) before this happened?" Wild asked, before allowing the postponement.
Swift also indicated that there is a plea offer from the state, but he did not offer details.
Cooper, who was indicted in March, is currently employed by Atlantic County, where she works in the Welfare Office, records show.
Officials confirmed she remains fully employed.
