The finance chief of a New Jersey municipality faces charges of theft by deception in the wake of a local bank’s investigation into an alleged double-billing scheme.
Cameron Keng, CFO of Franklin Township, New Jersey, was arrested Aug. 4 and charged with one count of third-degree theft by deception, according to a news release issued by Renée Robeson, prosecutor for Hunterdon County. The crime is punishable by a fine of up to $15,000 and five years in prison, the release said.
Keng’s arrest came after Unity Bank found a double-billing scheme amid its investigation into payroll fee transactions in Franklin Township. The bank, which has branches in New Jersey and Pennsylvania, started the investigation in June 2026 and then shared its findings with Robeson’s office. “This matter remains under investigation,” Robeson’s news release said.
Jada Mayson, deputy public defender for Hunterdon County, said in an email that Keng has entered a not guilty plea and maintains his innocence. Her office represented Keng for his initial court appearance, and it isn’t yet clear if he’ll retain private counsel going forward, she said.
In an email to CFO.com, Unity Bank Chief Marketing Officer and Senior Vice President Crystal Rose confirmed the bank’s investigation and said the matter is “subject to ongoing review.” Rose said the bank can’t provide any additional details or comment at this time.
“While we cannot discuss the specifics of this matter, we remain committed to working with the appropriate parties and supporting efforts to protect our customers and communities,” Rose said, noting that the company has “robust fraud prevention and risk management program designed to identify, investigate, and address suspicious activity.”
Since his arrest, Keng has been released “pending further proceedings,” Robeson’s release said. He’ll appear before a judge in New Jersey Superior Court on Sept. 14 for a pre-indictment conference.
It’s unclear if Keng’s alleged actions resulted in any money lost for Franklin Township.
According to a report by local media outlet New Jersey Globe, Keng held a senior leadership position in Franklin Township’s financial operations for years, including serving as both CFO and tax collector.
As of Monday afternoon, Franklin Township, which has a population of just about 3,300, still lists Keng as chief financial officer on its staffing page. Township officials didn’t respond to questions sent by email on Monday.
