Former Ventnor City Code Enforcement Officer Sentenced For Theft

Tuesday, May 27, 2025, 4:15 P.M. ET. 2 Minute By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

VENTNOR CITY, NJ.- Today, Atlantic County Prosecutor William E. Reynolds reported that Michelle Calderon, 39, of Egg Harbor, New Jersey, appeared in Atlantic County Superior Court and was sentenced by Superior Court Judge Donna M. Taylor to 5 years in New Jersey State Prison after pleading guilty to second-degree Theft by Failure to Make Lawful Disposition of Entrusted Property.

     As part of her guilty plea, Calderon was required to make partial restitution of $50,000 to the City of Ventnor prior to today’s sentence. Additionally, as part of the sentence, Judge Taylor ordered Calderon to pay any remaining restitution upon her release from State Prison.

     In addition, Calderon will forfeit the numerous items purchased with the stolen money and that were seized during the execution of a court-authorized search warrant on her Egg Harbor, New Jersey, home and will forfeit any current or future public employment. 

Guilty Plea And Sentence Stem From An Investigation

     The guilty plea and today’s sentence stem from an investigation that began when Ventnor City officials noticed discrepancies within their financial ledgers. Upon reporting the incident, law enforcement investigators concluded that Calderon sought to personally supervise all cash transactions while working for the Department of Code Enforcement in Ventnor City.

     In her capacity as the City’s Code Enforcement Officer, she was responsible for issuing and collecting funds for building, housing, parking, zoning, flood, and dumpster permits. Investigators also uncovered that from 2021 through 2023, Calderon altered financial balance sheets and kept the money for herself. The total amount of the theft and money taken exceeded $75,000.