A disgraced former New Jersey police chief admitted in court Monday that he had an affair with a subordinate and lied about it to a special prosecutor hired by the town to investigate the rumors. , which led to him being derided by the local police chief as a “serious criminal.” In a courtroom showdown.
Former Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, 50, pleaded guilty to obstruction of justice for his crimes, including denying having an extramarital affair that violated regulations during a meeting with his attorney in January 2022. . According to the Asbury Park Press.
But former executives have not forgiven or forgotten, even though Kudrick fled the department after abruptly retiring in March 2022, two years before his contract was due to expire.
Several PBA members were reportedly lined up at the back of the courtroom as the former PBA leader entered a guilty plea that could result in more than a year in prison. , which likely means only a suspended sentence.
“You’re a clown,” the salty former chief told union president James Alexander as he left the courtroom.
“But you’re a felon,” Alexander replied, according to the newspaper.
Last year, the state attorney general’s office hit the former chief with an avalanche of charges stemming from the cover-up, including misconduct, false accusations, tampering with public records, witness tampering and obstruction.
Under the agreement, he pleaded guilty to obstruction of business and other charges were dropped, reporters said.
State Superior Court Judge Paul
A special labor attorney hired by Howell Township, a sprawling South Jersey town of about 60,000 people and 63 square miles, said Mr. Kudrick’s wife and alleged mistress were at his 2021 retirement party. For the first time after the crash, an investigation was launched into the officer, who has worked for the last 30 years. The press spoke.
However, when questioned by his lawyer, Kudrick lied and denied having an affair.
The chief, who earned about $234,000 from running the department, was also accused of threatening an internal affairs investigation against a captain with evidence of wrongdoing.
With morale reportedly at an all-time low, the local police union held a no-confidence vote in December 2021, turning officers against him.
Union president Alexander said Kudrick’s plea “provides some vindication for our members after all the turmoil and turmoil,” the Press reported.
“We felt it was important to come and see him finally admit his guilt,” he told the outlet. “It’s nice to finally see him taking some responsibility for his actions.”
Robert A. Honecker, the former chief’s attorney, said Kudrick “regrets his actions.”
“He wants to forget all about this,” the lawyer said.
Mr. Kudrick will be sentenced on July 19th.
