Politics & Government

Eighth Man Arrested in Sewerage Authority Theft Case

Police said the man is Superintendent Paul Philips' nephew.

The eighth defendant in the Cinnaminson Sewerage Authority (CSA) theft and corruption case has been arrested, according to the Burlington County Prosecutor's Office.

Scott D. Mayes Jr., 21, of Dartmouth Drive in Delran, turned himself in Thursday, authorities said. He is free on $20,000 bail.

As we previously reported, Mayes had a warrant out for his arrest Wednesday but was still at-large then. Authorities called him a “lesser player” in the case.

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Mayes has been charged with corruption of public resources and conspiracy-corruption of public resources.

Mayes is a seasonal employee with the CSA and is the nephew of Superintendent Paul Phillips, a nearly 30-year employee, who was also arrested and charged earlier this week. 

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In August of 2009, under the direction of Phillips, Mayes and CSA employee Carmelo Colon went to Long Beach Township in Ocean County to paint a shed at a private home, authorities said.

At that time, the home was owned by Paul Phillips' mother-in-law. Carmelo Colon is Phillips' son-in-law.

The paint that was used for the job had been purchased by the CSA. Both Mayes and Carmelo Colon returned to the CSA after painting the shed and submitted a time sheet for the day that included 45 minutes of overtime, authorities said.

Carmelo Colon had been previously charged with two counts of corruption of public resources, two counts of conspiracy-corruption of public resources, theft and conspiracy to commit theft. 

Also arrested and charged previously was Carmelo Colon's brother, Michael Colon, a part-time CSA employee. Two CSA employees who were brothers, Jeffrey Lehman and Joseph B. Lehman, were arrested and charged, along with their father, Joseph J. Lehman Jr., who is not a CSA employee.

William Yannarella, the CSA's sssistant superintendent, was also arrested and charged. 

To read the full story, click here.

To read about possible changes to the sewerage authority, click here.

To read about questions you may have about the sewerage authority and its commissioners, click here.

To read about termination notices given to arrested CSA employees, click here.  


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