FREEHOLD – Retired Howell Police Chief Andrew Kudrick chose to forgo indictment and instead pleaded guilty to accusations of obstructing justice. The charges stemmed from allegations he lied about a sexual relationship with a subordinate during a township investigation.
During the proceedings before Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon, Kudrick, 50, admitted to giving false statements about the affair to special counsel during an official investigation conducted by Howell Township.
Kudrick acknowledged he was unaware, at the time of the questioning, that his statement was part of a criminal investigation. He further admitted that providing false information violated several provisions of the Howell Township Police Department rules and regulations.
“The state has agreed to not take any position with regard to any action instituted against the defendant’s pension,” said Escandon. “But the state objects to civil reservation.”
Kudrick’s attorney, Robert A. Honecker, said the Pension Board is independent and can take their own action regarding the retired police chief’s pension.
“We applied for civil reservation meaning that what he said here today, and his guilty plea, can’t be used against him if Howell Township or someone else decides to file a civil lawsuit against him,” Honecker said.
As part of the plea deal to the fourth-degree offense, Kudrick will have a criminal record and is permanently barred from holding any public office in New Jersey. He faces up to 18 months in jail and a $10,000 fine, although prosecutors are recommending non-custodial probation. Sentencing is set for July 19, 2024.
The probe was initiated after a public incident at a work event in 2021 raised concerns about an inappropriate relationship. Authorities were alerted to the issue after a confrontation with Kudrick’s wife and another woman.
According to court documents, the investigation took a dramatic turn in late March 2022. Just before a captain with the Howell Police Department, who reportedly possessed evidence of the affair, was scheduled for a second interview with special counsel, Kudrick allegedly attempted to intimidate the witness.
Kudrick allegedly threatened to launch a bogus internal affairs investigation against the captain. This fabricated probe would accuse the captain of bypassing the chain of command by speaking directly to the township manager. The clear intent, according to the Attorney General’s office, was to intimidate the witness and discourage truthful cooperation with the investigation.
A little over a year ago, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced multiple charges brought against Kudrick related to his tenure as Howell’s police chief. These included official misconduct, false swearing, tampering with public records, tampering with and retaliating against witnesses, and obstructing the administration of law.
Township Manager Joseph Clark and members of the Howell Policemen’s Benevolent Association Local 228 were among those present during the court’s acceptance of Kudrick’s guilty plea. An attorney representing the municipality was also in attendance, as well as supporters of the disgraced chief.
“As a union and a department, we’re happy to put this whole situation behind us,” said PBA Local 228 President Jim Alexander. “We’re happy to see the resolution – if nothing else.”
Kudrick spotted Alexander as he exited the courtroom after giving his guilty plea and called him a “clown.”
Alexander’s response was to call him a felon.
The Howell PBA announced a vote of “no confidence” in Kudrick’s leadership in December of 2021. Kudrick announced his retirement on March 31, 2022, and officially retired the following day. He was a member of the Howell Police Department for 32 years and served as chief for seven.
