A former Bridgeton councilwoman who was accused of taking more than $22,000 from the city’s housing authority will not serve any time in jail.

The Cumberland County Prosecutor’s Office announced Tuesday that Superior Court Judge Robert Malestein accepted terms for former Bridgeton City Council President Gladys Lugardo-Hemple to enter the “Pretrial Intervention Program," which allows first-time, non-violent offenders to take part in rehabilitation efforts and avoid lock-up.

Lugardo-Hemple was caught in May 2018 allegedly withdrawing $22,031.97 from the Bridgeton Housing Authority’s Ocean First bank account, and depositing the money into her personal bank account, authorities have said. She was charged with four different offenses, including third-degree theft by deception and third-degree misapplication of entrusted property of government or financial institution.

As part of the agreement to enter PTI, the former councilwoman will have to resign from her job at the Bridgeton School District, forfeit any future public employment, and perform community service.

Lugardo-Hemple was a teacher’s aide and made $31,160 a year, according to public records. School officials could not immediately be reached for comment.

After an investigation into the incident began in June 2018, she resigned her seat on the Bridgeton City Council. She also held a seat on the Bridgeton Housing Authority, which oversees public housing complexes in the city.

According to the Prosecutor’s Office, Lugardo-Hemple has repaid the money deposited into her bank account in its entirety.

Requests for comment to Lugardo’s attorney Terry Stomel were not immediately returned.

Chris Franklin can be reached at cfranklin@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @cfranklinnews or on Facebook. Have a tip? Tell us.nj.com/tips.

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