MANALAPAN, N.J. — The wife of Manalapan Mayor Eric Nelson has been charged with third-degree theft after allegedly stealing thousands of dollars in cash and jewelry from her employer, according to the Freehold Township Police Department.
Jennifer Nelson, 52, was arrested Friday following an investigation into a May 15 report of missing property from a residence where she had worked as a housekeeper for eight years.
Police say the value of the stolen items totaled approximately $5,295. Some of the missing property later surfaced at a local pawn shop, according to Freehold Township Police Lt. Joseph Winowski.
The investigation led to Nelson being formally charged with third-degree theft, a felony offense under New Jersey law, typically carrying a sentence of three to five years in prison upon conviction.
Her husband, Eric Nelson, a Republican, currently serves as mayor of Manalapan after being appointed by the Township Committee in January 2024. He is also a candidate for reelection this year.
Neither Jennifer nor Eric Nelson has publicly commented on the charges as of press time.
