MAYS LANDING – An Egg Harbor
City police officer will not have to serve a prison term for using his position
to engage in sexual conduct with a female informant.
Steven Hadley received a
suspended five-year term when he was sentenced Friday.
Hadley, who served 10 years on
the Egg Harbor City force, pleaded guilty in October to official misconduct as
part of a plea bargain with Atlantic County prosecutors. In return, they agreed
to dismiss four other counts of official misconduct.
The Press of Atlantic City
reported the woman with whom Hadley had the sexual relationship became an
informant after a drug arrest. From April to May in 2013, she made drug
purchases.
Hadley was paralyzed in a car
crash that occurred on Sept. 24, 2013, the same day the charges were filed
against him. Authorities have said Hadley’s pickup left the Garden State
Parkway and struck a tree.
The 32-year-old Port Republic
resident spent seven months in the hospital following the crash.
Besides the suspended sentence,
Hadley also will forfeit his pension rights and will be barred from holding
public employment in the state.
In issuing the sentence, state
Superior Court Judge Michael Donio said having Hadley serve a prison term would
be a serious injustice. The judge noted the former officer’s medical problems
along with his cooperation, guilty plea and public service.
