Ex-Howell police chief Andrew Kudrick pleads guilty to lying about affair with subordinate
FREEHOLD - Retired Howell police chief Andrew Kudrick pleaded guilty Monday to obstruction of justice, admitting he lied to a special counsel about an extramarital affair he was having with a subordinate.
Kudrick, 50, appeared before Superior Court Judge Paul X. Escandon and admitted giving false information regarding a relationship with a subordinate, which was against the police department's rules and regulations.
Kudrick, who retired suddenly in March 2022 more than two years before his contract with the township expired, was charged last year by the state attorney general's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability with official misconduct, false swearing, tampering with public records, witness tampering and obstruction of justice.
Under a plea agreement reached with Kudrick, the state will recommend Kudrick be sentenced to probation for the obstruction charge, which carries a maximum prison term of 18 months. The other charges will be dismissed.
The plea bargain also calls for Kudrick to permanently forfeit any public employment. Escandon advised him he could be charged with contempt of court if he ever applies for a public job.
Under the plea agreement, the attorney general also has agreed not to take any position about whether Kudrick will have to forfeit his pension.
Kudrick's salary was $234,092 at the end of 2021, according to public records.
Kudrick was accused of lying about the affair and also threatening to launch an internal affairs investigation into a captain in the police department who had evidence of it.
In a brief proceeding before Escandon, Kudrick admitted he didn't tell the truth to a special counsel hired by the township to investigate the complaint against him when he was interviewed on Jan. 3, 2022.
By then, he had already lost the respect of the officers he commanded. The Policemen's Benevolent Association Local 228 took a no-confidence vote against him in December 2021, saying morale was at an all-time low.
Several PBA members sat in the back row of the courtroom as Kudrick entered his guilty plea. As Kudrick walked out of the courtroom, he turned to James Alexander, the PBA local's president, and said, "You're a clown.''
Alexander responded, "But, you're a felon.''
An unidentified woman with Kudrick told Alexander his comment wasn't very professional.
"We just felt it was important to come and bear witness to him finally admitting guilt,'' Alexander said outside the courtroom afterward.
"It's some level of vindication for our membership after all the chaos and turmoil,'' Alexander said. "It's nice to finally see him take some responsibility for his actions.''
Kudrick's attorney, Robert A. Honecker, said afterward that his client had a distinguished 30-year police career.
"He will be sentenced and is remorseful for his conduct, and he wishes to put this entire matter behind him,'' Honecker said.
Kudrick initially came under investigation by a special labor counsel hired by the township to look into the potential for a hostile work environment and sexual harassment lawsuit against the township. A confrontation between Kudrick's wife and his alleged mistress at a 2021 retirement party sparked those concerns, according to the attorney general's office.
It was when he was being questioned by the special counsel that Kudrick lied and denied the affair he was having with the subordinate.
Escandon scheduled Kudrick's sentencing for July 19.
Kathleen Hopkins, a reporter in New Jersey since 1985, covers crime, court cases, legal issues and just about every major murder trial to hit Monmouth and Ocean counties. Contact her at khopkins@app.com.
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This article originally appeared on Asbury Park Press: Ex-Howell police chief pleads guilty to obstruction in probe of affair
