$26M Wire Theft Hits Middlesex Co. Town; $17.3M Frozen So Far

MIDDLESEX COUNTY, NJ — Cranbury Township was the victim of a theft involving a roughly $26 million wire transfer in September, and investigators have frozen nearly $17.3 million of those funds so far, Mayor Lisa Knierim said.

Knierim disclosed the theft in a letter to residents Friday, on behalf of the Township Committee.

“On September 28, 2026, Cranbury Township was the victim of a sophisticated financial theft involving approximately $26 million wire transfer,” Knierim wrote. “These funds were designated for the purchase of property intended to support the Township’s affordable housing obligations.”

She opened the letter by saying the committee wanted to be upfront with residents.

“One of the most important responsibilities of our Township Committee is to communicate openly and honestly with the community we serve, particularly when faced with difficult circumstances,” Knierim wrote.

Cranbury police and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office are leading a task force of local, county, state and federal law enforcement agencies on the case.

“Through these efforts, investigators have successfully frozen assets totaling nearly $17.3 million dollars,” Knierim wrote. “While this represents an important development, this criminal investigation remains active, and additional details cannot be shared at this time.”

The letter did not say how the theft was carried out, where the money was sent or whether investigators have identified any suspects.

Knierim said Police Chief Giuseppe DeChiara has kept the Township Committee updated throughout the investigation and that “Township employees have cooperated fully with law enforcement.”

At its Monday meeting, the Township Committee will introduce ordinances creating two new positions: assistant township administrator and assistant chief financial officer.

“These positions are intended to strengthen administrative and financial oversight while ensuring continuity of municipal operations,” Knierim wrote. “Upon adoption of the ordinances, the Township intends to fill these positions as promptly as possible.”

The committee will also vote on a resolution hiring PKF O’Connor Davies, a municipal accounting firm, for additional financial consulting. Township officials are also working with their insurance carriers to look at possible ways to recover the money, Knierim said.

“We recognize that news of this magnitude will understandably raise questions and concerns among our residents,” she wrote. “Those concerns are legitimate, and we take them seriously.”

Knierim said the committee’s priorities are to “protect the financial interests of Cranbury Township, support the ongoing investigation, maintain essential municipal services, and keep our community informed as verified information becomes available.”

“Cranbury has always been a community that faces challenges with determination, cooperation, and a shared sense of responsibility,” she wrote. “We have every confidence that we have and will continue to approach this situation with that same commitment.”

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