An Atlantic County public works employee and three other people were arrested after investigators discovered they were using the county's diesel fuel for a private business, the Atlantic County Prosecutor's Office said Tuesday.

Joseph Ridley, 47, of Mays Landing, was charged Monday with official misconduct, pattern of official misconduct, theft by unlawful taking and conspiracy to commit theft.

Ridley is a supervisor in the Roads and Bridges department under the county Public Works Department.

Zakar Ridley, 26, of Mays Landing; Jason Meredith, 34, of Absecon; and Corey Smith, 27, of Pleasantville, were each charged with theft by unlawful taking.

On May 27, county fleet management authorities saw a large box truck being fueled at the county fueling station in Northfield. When approached

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