A woman who serves on the board of education in her Somerset County hometown is charged with stealing from the Union County school district where she works.
Zelda Spence Wallace is charged with theft by deception and theft by unlawful taking in Plainfield, a pair of third-degree offenses, according to municipal court records.
Spence — as she is known as in Plainfield — was arrested March 29 for offenses that allegedly took place on June 1, 2023.
Spence stole more than $13,000 from the Plainfield schools — some of it cash and some in electronic payments, according to MontyNews.com, which was the first to report on the charges. Spence allegedly claimed she was raising money for charity in swiping the electronic funds, the website reported.
A criminal complaint couldn’t immediately be obtained from authorities. Plainfield police referred questions to the Union County Prosecutor’s Office. A prosecutor’s office spokeswoman said she was checking into the case.
Spence is the project director for the Queen’s TV Network in the Plainfield school district and the supervisor for all out-of-school time programs, according to an online bio. A public employee since 2002, she is paid an annual salary of $151,155, online pension records state.
Vashon Lamont Hill, the chief of communications for the Plainfield school district, declined to comment. Hill didn’t respond when asked if Spence was suspended from her job.
Spence’s voicemail was full at her work phone number and her Plainfield email had an out of office message.
Spence was elected to the board of education in her hometown of Montgomery in 2020 and re-elected in November. Montgomery school officials didn’t respond to requests for comment. Spence is referred to on the Montgomery school district website as Zelda Spence Wallace.
Spence is the second board of education member in New Jersey charged with theft this month.
Our journalism needs your support. Please subscribe today to NJ.com.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com.
