Newark Woman Sentenced For Bilking Multiple Victims Out Of Nearly $500,000
Tuesday, November 4, 2025, 7:00 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
ELIZABETH, NJ.- On Friday, a 59-year-old Newark, New Jersey, woman learned that she will be eligible to collect Social Security when she is released from prison after being sentenced for bilking multiple victims, including the State of New Jersey Emergency Rental Assistance Programs, out of nearly $500,000.
According to Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, previously on September 4, 2025, Joyce Kirkland, 59, of Newark, New Jersey, appeared in Union County Superior Court and pleaded guilty before Superior Court Judge Anthony J. Parenti to one count of second-degree Theft; one count of second-degree Theft by Deception; one count of second-degree Criminal Impersonation; and one count of third-degree Criminal Impersonation.
On Friday, October 31, 2025, Kirkland appeared in Union County Superior Court and was sentenced by Judge Parenti in accordance with her negotiated plea agreement to five years in New Jersey State Prison. In addition to her term of imprisonment, Judge Parenti ordered Kirkland to pay $475,713 in restitution to her victims.
Guilty Plea And Friday’s Sentence Stems From A Financial Crimes Investigation
The guilty plea and sentence stem from an investigation conducted by Investigators of the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit. During the investigation, Investigators uncovered that Kirkland had forged names on a deed and collected ill-gotten gains from the falsified transaction. Further investigation uncovered a complex scheme of money laundering, thefts, forgeries, and criminal impersonation perpetrated against multiple victims, including the State of New Jersey, as she falsified documents to obtain over $300,000 from the Emergency Rental Assistance Programs.
Kirkland additionally forged the names of deceased individuals and other parties on real estate transaction records, obtained credit cards, negotiated checks, and conducted fraudulent banking transactions in the names of several victims.
“This sentence highlights the devastating impact of financial crimes,” stated Prosecutor Daniel. “I want to commend the Union County Prosecutor’s Office Special Prosecutions Unit, Detective Jessica Tattoli, and Assistant Prosecutor James Brady for their thorough investigation. We remain steadfast in our commitment to investigating and prosecuting those who exploit the trust of others for personal gain.”
