BREAKING: Wall Township Police Sergeant Pleads Guilty To Multiple Thefts

WALL TOWNSHIP POLICE SERGEANT FACES EIGHT YEARS IN PRISON UNLESS HE REPAYS OVER $100,000.

     "James R. Cadigan Admitted Guilt Yesterday For Stealing More Than $115,000. From Multiple Organizations Including Money Slated For The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation."

Thursday, December 21, 2023, 8:00 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

FREEHOLD, NJ.- In an ultimate betrayal of public trust, a Wall Township Police Sergeant has Pleaded Guilty to Stealing more than $115,000. from his Local Police Benevolent Association Union Chapter, a Youth Football Nonprofit Organization, and Two Charitable Campaigns intended to aid in Breast Cancer Research and benefit the survivor of a Serious Brain Injury, according to Monmouth County Authorities.

     During a hearing on Wednesday, before The Honorable Christie Bevacqua, J.S.C., James R. Cadigan, 41, Admitted Guilt to Charges of Second and Third Degree Theft by Unlawful Taking.

     An investigation into Mr. Cadigan's activities was initiated last year by Members of The Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau after recieving a referral from The Wall Township Police Benevolent Association, Local 234, which had discovered that a large amount of cash proceeds was missing following The PBA's Pignic, an annual summertime barbecue fundraiser. Sgt. Cadigan was solely responsible for orchestrating and running the event in 2022 and in preceding years. The PBA Local annually donates proceeds from the event to various charitable organizations.

     In addition to confirming a large amount of cash missing from the Pignic Proceeds, the investigation also uncovered that starting in 20218 and in each year thereafter, Cadigan made multiple unauthorized cash withdrawals from Multiple PBA Bank Accounts and wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts. It was further determined that Cadigan would make these withdrawals both while on and off duty, sometimes in regular clothing and other times in his Police Uniform.

     As the investigation continued, the investigation uncovered from February 2020 to November 2022, Cadigan in his capacity as President of The Wall Township American Youth Football, a nonprofit organization, Cadigan also used a debit card intended for purchases to benefit the organization to purchase around $20,000. worth of items for his own personal use.

     The investigation additionally revealed two occasions in which Cadigan represented that he was raising money for charitable purposes but then kept the money for himself. In the fall of 2020, Cadigan organized a Powderpuff Football Game involving Mothers The Wall American Youth Football players, raising approximately $3,000. for The Susan G. Komen Breast Cancer Foundation, but Cadigan never made the donation and instead kept the funds. Then in December 2021, Cadigan started a campaign to raise money for a friend who sustained a Life-Threatening Brain Aneurysm. Cadigan Stole around $3,000. of the funds, then stole the money from The PBA to pay the man back.

    At Wednesday's hearing, an order was finalized barring Cadigan from ever again holding Public Office in The State of New Jersey. Sentencing in the case has been Scheduled for Thursday, March 14, 2024, at which time The State intends to ask for a Sentence of Eight Years in New Jersey State Prison, with the possibility of a reduction to Five Years, contingent on Full Restitution of $91,500. to The PBA and $24,200. to The Wall American Youth Football, for a total of $115, 500. 

FILED UNDER: DECEMBER 21, 2023: LAW, MONMOUTH: