Wall Sergeant Charged With $75K Theft From PBA Charity

FREEHOLD, NJ – James R. Cadigan, a Wall Township Police Department sergeant, has been charged with stealing more than $75,000 from his local Police Benevolent Association chapter, county law enforcement officials said.

Cadigan, 40, is charged with second-degree theft by unlawful taking, Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said Monday.

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

In a statement to the public on its Facebook page, the PBA Local No. 234 said it was unable to comment at this time because of the investigation.

"However, we have taken steps to ensure that this action cannot happen in the future. We have implemented measures to ensure strict oversight of the PBA's finances to ensure that your donations are safeguarded and used for the purposes intended."

The statement continues: "We appreciate the support that the residents of Wall Township have provided the PBA throughout the years. We will continue to work hard to protect and serve the residents. We will strive to maintain the public's trust."

The PBA 234 Facebook page also noted that it has raised "hundreds of thousands of dollars that have been distributed to numerous charities."

The Wall Township PBA #234 is the union established in 1973 that represents Wall Township Police Officers, its Facebook site says.

The investigation was made by the county Professional Responsibility and Bias Crime Bureau after a referral by the Wall PBA 234, which had discovered that a "significant amount" of cash proceeds was missing following an annual fundraising event held earlier this year, according to a news statement from the prosecutor's office.

County authorities said in the news statement that Cadigan was "solely responsible for orchestrating and running" the event in 2022 and in many preceding years, and the PBA annually donates proceeds from the event to various charitable organizations.

"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 made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple PBA bank accounts and wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts," the prosecutor said in the statement.

“The criminal charge against Sgt. Cadigan is not reflective of the honor, integrity, and fidelity routinely exhibited by the sworn members of this Police Department, as they are about protecting and serving the public in the execution of their daily duties,” Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran said in a statement.

O'Halloran said Cadigan, who joined the force in 2005, is now suspended without pay.

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

Information was not immediately available from Wall police about Cadigan's current status with the department. This spring he was part of a team from the department who were instructors in an anti-drug program at Wall schools.

“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,” 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.”

The case is being prosecuted by Monmouth County Assistant Prosecutor Melanie Falco, director of the Professional Responsibility and Bias Crime Bureau. Cadigan is being represented by Mitchell A. Ansell, Ocean Township.

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

Convictions on second-degree criminal charges can be punishable by up to 10 years in state prison, according to the prosecutor's office.