Prison proposed for former state case worker who harassed women
TRENTON – A former case worker has pleaded guilty to sexually harassing women who were under investigation or supervision by the state Department of Children and Families.
Gilberto Ortiz, 53, of Woodbury admitted to making unwanted advances and to intimidating women in an effort to have sex, according to the state Attorney General’s Office.
It alleged Ortiz, while assigned to investigate possible negligence by a mother in February 2020, indicated he would “help” the woman if she had a relationship with him.
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Ortiz allegedly touched the woman without her consent during home visits and sent her sexually explicit images of himself, the Attorney General’s Office said in a statement.
Gilberto Ortiz plea agreement calls for prison
It said investigators also found victims from additional incidents in 2019.
Ortiz, a bilingual family services specialist, was charged in March 2020. He resigned from his job after being suspended by the agency.
The DCF prohibits employees from having “any improper relationship” with a person under supervision or investigation by the agency.
Ortiz pleaded guilty on May 16 to engaging in a pattern of official misconduct.
Under a plea agreement, the prosecution is recommending a five-year prison term with no parole eligibility. It also would ban Ortiz from holding public employment and public office in New Jersey.
Ortiz' attorney, David Nufrio of Freehold, said his current focus "is on providing information for the judge's evaluation at sentencing."
That would include information that could explain why Ortiz acted as he did, the attorney said.
Superior Court Judge David M. Ragonese scheduled sentencing for July 14.
Jim Walsh is a senior reporter with the Courier-Post, Burlington County Times and The Daily Journal. Email him at jwalsh@cpsj.com.
This article originally appeared on Cherry Hill Courier-Post: Woodbury man, a former state case worker, admits to harassing women
