Crime & Safety

Suspended Officer from East Brunswick Reinstated to New Brunswick Force

Lt. Robert Tierney was suspended from the New Brunswick Police Department in 2010 on charges of theft by deception and voter fraud.

A suspended New Brunswick officer has returned to the police force, city administrator Thomas Loughlin confirmed Wednesday night.

Lt. Robert Tierney, 41, of East Brunswick was suspended with pay from the police force in Sept. 2010 following charges of voter fraud and theft by deception. He was suspended without pay following an indictment in April 2011 following an investigation by the New Brunswick Police Department and the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation showed Tierney voted in four general elections in New Brunswick between Nov. 1, 2004, and Nov. 30, 2009, while he was living in Milltown and East Brunswick.

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The theft by deception charges against Tierney stemmed from an investigation showing that after divorcing his wife in Dec. 2008, Tierney did not notify the city and his insurance company, causing $850 in claims to be paid out to his ex-wife, who was still listed as a beneficiary on his health insurance between Jan. 2009 and Sept. 2009.

Loughlin said that Tierney returned to the police force at the beginning of February. He has been demoted to the rank of patrolman, he said.

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At the time of his suspension, Tierney was making $115,972 annually.

In Dec. 2011, Tierney was admitted to a PreTrial Intervention (PTI) program.

"PTI is a diversionary program typically offered to first-time offenders who commit non-violent third or fourth degree crimes. Upon successful completion of the program, charges are dismissed," read a press release from the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office issued Dec. 2, 2011.

As a condition of PTI, Tierney was required to repay to his insurance company the $845.07 in claims paid to his ex-wife, the release said.


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