WALL – A former Wall Township Police Department Sergeant has been sentenced to five years in state prison for stealing more than $115,000 from his local Police Benevolent Association (PBA) chapter, authorities said.
James R. Cadigan, 42, previously pleaded guilty to charges of second- and third-degree Theft by Unlawful Taking in December 2023. In addition, about $91,500 in restitution has been paid to the PBA and $24,150 to the AYF, for a combined total of more than $115,650.
The Wall Township PBA Local No. 234 contacted authorities after noticing that a large amount of cash proceeds was missing following an annual fundraising event that was held last year.
According to police, Cadigan was responsible for arranging and running the event in 2022 as well as previous years. The proceeds made from this event are donated to various charitable organizations.
Detectives discovered that Cadigan made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple PBA bank accounts beginning in 2018. Cadigan also wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts.
Authorities further discovered that from February 2020 to November 2022, Cadigan has access to a debit card belonging to Wall American Youth Football (AYF) nonprofit organization, to which he was the President of, and used for his own personal purchases totaling to about $20,000.
Items included pool pumps and chemicals, a quilted hammock, a truck hitch, a karaoke machine, a weight sled trainer, a boot warmer, an inflatable movie screen, grill tools and accessories, a pressure washer, backyard and holiday decorations, and accessories for tapping and serving draft beer.
Cadigan also organized a powderpuff football game involving mothers of AYF football players, with about $3,000 in proceeds intended to be donated to a breast cancer awareness and prevention charity, He instead allegedly pocketed the money for himself.
“On the one hand, this defendant’s conduct was indefensible and unconscionable – the serial nature of the thefts from multiple victims, including individuals engaged in charitable endeavors, represented the very worst of law enforcement,” Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago said. “On the other hand, the fact that our investigation was made possible only due to the defendant’s own colleagues coming forward to expose his wrongdoing, is eminently commendable, representing the very best of law enforcement.”
“Our agency is happy that this is now behind us and we can continue to build public trust,” Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran added. “I again want to praise the officers of Wall Police who discovered this crime and reported it without hesitation. This shows their level of integrity and commitment to the agency and the town. We would like to thank the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office for their professionalism and diligence during this investigation.”
