Trenton woman charged with accepting payments in child welfare cases

A Trenton woman, Susaida Nazario, 44, has been charged with multiple offenses related to the misuse of her position within the state's child welfare agency. Employed in the information technology division of the Department of Children and Families (DCF) from January 2021 to October 2023, Nazario allegedly accepted payments in exchange for providing confidential information regarding active cases.

On March 25, she was charged with unlawful benefits as a public servant, theft by deception, two counts of official misconduct, and a pattern of official misconduct. Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of accountability for public officials who breach their responsibilities and betray the public's trust. The allegations detail how Nazario exploited her access to DCF records for personal financial gain.

Investigators report that Nazario received over $800 from an individual connected to a case managed by the Division of Child Protection & Permanency, posing as a caseworker and fabricating identities to facilitate communication. Furthermore, she reportedly shared confidential case information with a second individual after expressing romantic interest and promising to help secure a favorable outcome.

The charges against Nazario are serious, with second-degree offenses carrying potential prison sentences of 5 to 10 years and fines up to $150,000. The third-degree charge could lead to 3 to 5 years in prison and fines up to $15,000.

Authorities have underscored their commitment to rooting out corruption and holding individuals accountable who take advantage of their positions for illegal profit.