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Auditors suspect Debbie Rembert of Queens actually took $20,000

Debbie E. Rembert of Queens, a former toll collector for the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey who worked at the George Washington Bridge, pleaded guilty Wednesday to stealing $500 in toll funds.

Auditors suspect the amount of stolen money may actually total $20,000.

Rembert, 41, pleaded guilty to an accusation charging her with third-degree theft before state Superior Court Judge Eugene H. Austin in Hackensack. The state Division of Criminal Justice charged Rembert as a result of an audit and investigation by the Port Authority.

The state will recommend that Rembert be sentenced to a term of probation conditioned on 364 days in the county jail, or, if eligible, in-patient drug treatment. She will be permanently barred from public employment and must pay restitution in an amount to be determined.

In pleading guilty, Rembert admitted that she stole at least $500, partly concealing the thefts by falsely reporting numerous truck “turnarounds,” instances when truck drivers passed through her toll booth, but then turned around and did not cross the bridge or pay the toll. An audit of toll collectors by the Port Authority revealed that Rembert had the highest average cash “shortage” per shift and the highest number of reported turnarounds. The term “shortage” refers to the difference between the tolls anticipated based on the vehicles that pass through a toll booth and the actual tolls collected, minus losses accounted for by reported toll violators and turnarounds.

A further analysis of Rembert’s toll collection activities from Nov. 1 to June 6, revealed approximately $20,000 in combined shortages and lost revenue related to purported turnarounds. A restitution hearing will be conducted to determine what portion of that amount was stolen and must be repaid by Rembert.

Rembert was arrested by Port Authority detectives on June 17. She immediately resigned her position. She admitted to the detectives that she stole toll funds to support her abuse of prescription narcotics, including Percocet and Hydrocodone.

Sentencing for Rembert is scheduled for Dec. 2 before Superior Court Judge Donald R. Venezia.