Prosecutor: Cop Charged with Stealing $75K from PBA Coffers

An area police sergeant has been charged with stealing more than $75,000 from his local Police Benevolent Association (PBA) chapter, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago announced on Monday.

James R. Cadigan, 40, of the Wall Township Police Department, has been charged with second-degree theft by unlawful taking.

An investigation into this matter was initiated by the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau, upon receipt of a referral by the Wall Township PBA Local No. 234. The investigation revealed that a significant amount of cash was missing following an annual fundraiser held earlier this year.

“Local police unions are so often the drivers of philanthropic and charitable endeavors, especially at this time of year, so it is deeply disheartening when any member of law enforcement leverages access to their funds in order to achieve personal financial gains,” Prosecutor Santiago said. “We hope that the charges being announced today send a clear message that any such conduct is wholly unacceptable, and will be thoroughly and dutifully investigated and prosecuted.”

Sgt. Cadigan was solely responsible for orchestrating and running the event in 2022 and in many preceding years. The PBA donates proceeds from the event to various charitable organizations annually.

In addition to confirming that a significant amount of cash was missing from the event proceeds, the investigation revealed that starting at least in 2018 and in each year thereafter, Cadigan allegedly made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple PBA bank accounts and wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts.

The investigation remains ongoing as to both the extent of the theft and how Cadigan used the PBA’s funds.

Cadigan was served the charges against him via summons on Friday, pending future proceedings to take place in Monmouth County Superior Court.

This case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, Director of the MCPO Professional Responsibility & Bias Crime Bureau. Cadigan is being represented by Mitchell A. Ansell, Esq., with an office in Ocean Township.

Anyone with information about this or related matters is urged to contact MCPO Detective Brian Hammarstrom at 800-533-7443.

Convictions on second-degree criminal charges can be punishable by up to 10 years in state prison.

— Edited press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office