NJ Chief Charged Over Having Officers Work for His Business

The chief is accused of conspiracy, official misconduct and corruption of public resources in connection with an alleged abuse of power that benefited his funeral home.

March 10, 2021

Chief Robert Kugler, from the Saddle Brook Police Department, was charged with ordering on-duty officers to perform as police escorts for his funeral home while using department vehicles. (Photo: Saddlebrook PD?Facebook)

A New Jersey police chief allegedly made his agency's officers work for his funeral home business, and now faces criminal charges.

Chief Robert Kugler, from the Saddle Brook Police Department, was charged with ordering on-duty officers to perform as police escorts for his business while using department vehicles, NJ Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced.

Kugler, 59, is accused of conspiracy, official misconduct and corruption of public resources in connection with an alleged abuse of power that benefited his Kugler Funeral Home, Grewal said.

Between January 2019 and August 2020, Kugler ordered his officers to escort funeral processions to cemeteries both in and outside of Saddle Brook during their shifts, in violation of township ordinance, the Grewal claimed.

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