Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today Rory Palmer, 26, of Newark, a Newark Special Police Officer, was arrested on a complaint charging him with official misconduct, theft by deception and tampering with public records.
Between September 1, 2009 and March 1, 2010, Palmer was assigned to work at the Newark Public Library. The complaint alleges Palmer received $1,800 for hours claimed when in fact he was not present and working at the library. The complaint further alleges that on Jan. 26, 2010, when Palmer became aware that his supervisor was scrutinizing his time records, Palmer changed his time sheet in an attempt to cover up the fact that he was seeking payment for time he did not work.
The five count complaint charges Palmer with one count of official misconduct, a second degree offense; a pattern of official misconduct, a second degree offense; theft by deception, a third degree offense; tampering with public records, a third degree offense; and tampering with public records by fabricating physical evidence, a fourth degree offense.
Bail was set at $25,000 by the Honorable Robert H. Gardner. If convicted of the charges Palmer faces 5 to 10 years in New Jersey State Prison.
Special police officers have all the police powers of Newark Police officers but are paid by private entities. Palmer was hired as a special police officer on March 24, 2008.
Assistant Prosecutor Brandon Minde credited the Newark Police Department Internal Affairs Division with bringing the case to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office Corruption Unit.
Not withstanding the arrest, every defendant is presumed innocent unless he pleads guilty or is found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
