Saddle Brook Police Chief, Bergen Sheriff Candidate Indicted

SADDLE BROOK, NJ — Suspended Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler has been indicted on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct and corruption of public resources, according to reports from NorthJersey.com and the New Jersey Globe.

Kugler, who is also the GOP candidate for Bergen County sheriff, is alleged to have ordered on-duty officers to use police department vehicles to perform police escorts for funerals at Kugler Funeral Home, which he owns, the AG's Office said.

The New Jersey Attorney General's Office did not immediately respond to requests for comment.

Charges were filed against Kugler in March of this year, resulting in the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office taking over day-to-day operations at the Saddle Brook Police Department.

An investigation by the New Jersey State Police Official Corruption Bureau and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau found that Kugler ordered officers to perform these escorts between January 2019 and August 2020. Use of police vehicles for escort services is prohibited by township ordinance except for municipal government escorts, or for non-profit organizations, according to the AG's Office.

These officers conducted escorts during their regular shifts, and escorted funeral processions to cemeteries both in and outside of Saddle Brook. Kugler Funeral Home didn't reimburse the township for these escorts, the AG's Office said.

However, those charges didn't stop Kugler from garnering support from the Bergen County GOP, who endorsed the embattled police chief in April.

"I think the Republicans that voted tonight in the convention have a different viewpoint than the prosecutors as to whether Chief Kugler has done anything inappropriate or not," said Bergen County GOP Chair Jack Zisa at the time, according to Northjersey.com.

He will face Anthony Cureton in this year's election, but is also facing substantial jail time if convicted.

The second-degree charge of official misconduct carries a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison without the possibility of parole. In total, he faces prison time up to 10 years and fines in the range of $150,000.

An arraignment date has been set for Oct. 7, according to NorthJersey.com, who reports that the case will be tried in Passaic County by Judge Ernest Caposela.

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