Gloucester County corrections officer charged with theft of union funds

A Gloucester County corrections department officer is suspended without pay after being charged last week with theft from a law enforcement union, according to the county prosecutor's office.

Derrick L. Smart, 38, was charged on Aug. 22 with third-degree theft for allegedly "taking or exercising control over" more than $500 from to Fraternal Order of Police Lodge 97, a union representing county corrections officers, according to the Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office.

The alleged theft occurred on various dates between January 2008 and January 2012, according to authorities.

Smart, whose hometown was not released, was released on his own recognizance after being served with the complaint, police said.

The case was investigated and complaint was signed by the prosecutor's office major crimes unit.

He is suspended without pay pending a hearing on Sept. 2, according to Gloucester County spokeswoman Debra Sellitto.

Smart was a corrections officer since 1998. His 2014 base pay with the county is $85,937 a year. In 2013, his base pay was $84,460, and he made more than $20,000 in overtime pay, according to the county's salary records.

Reach Carly Q. Romalino at (856) 486-2476 and cromalino@courierpostonline.com. Follow @CarlyQRomalino on Twitter.