Former Haddon Commissioner Pleads Guilty In Accident: Report

HADDON TOWNSHIP, NJ - A former Haddon Township Commissioner has reportedly pleaded guilty to reduced charges related to an accident he was involved in over the summer.

Paul Dougherty, 48, of Haddon Township, pleaded guilty to charges of failure to report an accident and failure to exhibit a license, the Courier Post reports.

He had been charged with leaving the scene of an accident and driving without a license. He appeared in an Estell Manor courtroom in Atlantic County to avoid any possible conflict of interest.

Dougherty resigned from his seat on the Board of Commissioners amid the allegations in October. One day later, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal announced that Dougherty had pleaded guilty to unlawfully accepting a referral fee from a law firm in connection with a lawsuit against the township.

As a result of the plea, Dougherty forfeited his position as a township commissioner and is permanently barred from public office and public employment in New Jersey.

In addition to his role as Haddon Township Commissioner, Dougherty served as municipal prosecutor in several towns in Camden and Burlington counties.

He is scheduled to be sentenced on the charge of third-degree conspiracy to confer an unlawful benefit on a public official in December.

Earlier this month, Ryan Linhart was sworn in as Dougherty’s replacement. A special election for the seat will take place in May.

The attached image of Paul Dougherty was previously provided by the Attorney General's Office.