Retired State Police Commander Sentenced

A New Jersey State Police troop commander has been sentenced to two years probation after admitting he stole from a charitable fund that assists state troopers and their families.

The attorney general's office says a condition of retired acting Maj. Michael Mattia's plea agreement is that he will serve a 364-day jail sentence if he fails to pay restitution of $30,000 to the charitable fund and $19,000 to a trooper from whom he obtained a loan under false pretenses.

The 47-year-old Cedar Grove resident pleaded guilty on Feb. 11 to theft by unlawful taking. He is permanently barred from public employment and public office.

Mattia admitted to stealing $55,000 from the Troop B Health & Welfare Fund, which he oversaw while commanding Troop B in Totowa before retiring last year.