Green Township mayor facing fraud charges

BY BRETT LAKE
GREEN — The Green Township Mayor was arrested last week after police say he allegedly gave a Franklin business two fraudulent checks, according to a Franklin Borough Police Department news release.

Daniel C. Conkling, 60, was charged July 15 with two counts of writing fraudulent checks. He was charged and later released pending an appearance in Sussex County Superior Court July 23.

Conkling said through text message that he did not want to comment on the matter.

Multiple attempts to contact members of the Green Township Council seeking comment went unreturned.

According to the release, police received a report from owners of Tri State Pump and Septic, claiming Conkling gave them two separate checks for $2,997.61 in May.

When the owners attempted to retrieve the money, there was insufficient funds in the account, according to police.

The business owners reported to police that they made multiple attempts to recover the money over the last several months.

Detectives from the Franklin Police Department conducted an investigation, which resulted in the arrest of the Mayor.

Conkling has served on the Green Township Committee since 2000. His term as mayor expires Dec. 31.