By: Richard L. Smith
Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II announced today that Newark Police Officer Anthony Gibson, 54, from Newark, was convicted of one count of Official Misconduct and one count of Theft.
According to Essex County Prosecutor Office Spokesman Robert Florida, an investigation by the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards Bureau, which investigates criminal allegations against police officers, found that Gibson took sick leave from the Newark Police Division from March 6, 2018, through November 2, 2018.
Officials say during that period, he received his full pay and benefits from the City of Newark.
At the same time, Gibson worked a private security job at St. Michael’s Medical Center for 32 days between March 20, 2018, and September 22, 2018.
On 31 of those days, officials said he worked during the same hours he was scheduled to work for the Newark Police.
According to authorities, he was paid more than $46,000 from the City of Newark and $4,700 from the local hospital for the security job.
He was suspended without pay in November 2018.
After Wednesday’s verdict, Assistant Prosecutor George Gay, who tried the case, said, “the conduct that was proved in a fair and open trial was egregious and far below the high standards we demand of police officers.
The people of Essex County should feel assured that there is one standard of justice and that their Prosecutor’s Office will not tolerate public officials who put their personal gain ahead of their duty to the public.”
Gibson is scheduled to be sentenced on April 28, 2023.
The Official Misconduct conviction requires a mandatory five-year prison sentence. He was remanded into the Essex County Correctional Facility.
In addition, Gibson has two open indictments, which include charges of Distribution of Controlled Dangerous Substances, Conspiracy, and Official Misconduct.
He has pleaded not guilty to these charges and remains innocent until proven guilty.
