ROCKAWAY TWP. — Township Police
Officer Clifton “Clif” Gauthier has been charged with official misconduct and
other crimes for allegedly trying to get a relative’s driving while intoxicated
ticket dismissed in 2012.
Gauthier, 34, of Sparta, was
charged Monday by the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office with official
misconduct, obstruction, witness tampering and hindering prosecution of
another, according to court records. Gauthier was hired in the township in July
2005 and, though now suspended, was earning $108,525 annually.
Township officials would not
immediately specify whether Gauthier was suspended with or without pay. Neither
Gauthier nor defense lawyer Scott Krasny could immediately be reached Friday.
A male relative of Gauthier was
ticketed for DWI in Rockaway Township by a state trooper identified only as
N.S. Gauthier allegedly contacted the trooper on Feb. 9, 2012, and “suggested”
he didn’t need to appear in township Municipal Court for trial because the
charge was resolved, according to court records and officials.
Denis Driscoll, who was
municipal prosecutor at the time, contacted the trooper, who stated he was told
not to appear, and the investigation commenced, according to officials.
Township Mayor Michael Dachisen
said that Gauthier is a good officer who served several military tours in Iraq.
He said the relative who Gauthier allegedly tried to assist is either a cousin
or an uncle. He declined further comment.
Police Chief Walter Ardin Jr.
could not be reached. Gauthier is due to appear next week in Superior Court to
receive initial discovery on the charges. They allege that he committed an act
that constituted an unauthorized exercise of his position by suggesting to the
trooper that he not appear on the scheduled court date so he could try to help
a relative obtain a dismissal of the charge.
The most serious offense of
official misconduct is a second-degree crime punishable upon conviction by up
to 10 years in prison and automatic forfeiture of a public job and future
public employment.
