Bergen GOP Endorses Kugler For Sheriff Amid Corruption Charges

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Robert Kugler's role as the police chief in Saddle Brook remains on uncertain footing, but he reached an important benchmark in his quest toward the Bergen County sheriff job.

Kugler, who is charged with conspiracy, official misconduct and corruption of public resources for ordering on-duty officers to perform police escorts for his private business, received an endorsement from the Bergen County Republican Organization this week.

"On behalf of our team, we express our heartfelt thanks and appreciation to the Bergen County Republican Organization County Committee, elected officials and general membership of the Bergen County Republican Organization for their vote of support and endorsement of our respective candidate positions," he said.

The Attorney General's Office charged Kugler for ordering officers to use police department vehicles to perform police escorts for funerals at Kugler Funeral Home, which he owns, the AG's Office said.

Use of police vehicles for escort services is prohibited by township ordinance except for municipal government escorts, or for non-profit organizations, according to the AG's Office.

Day-to-day operations at the department are being run by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office, and Kugler has been suspended. Read more: Saddle Brook Police Chief Facing Conspiracy, Misconduct Charges

"These charges, though very serious, at the same time should not apply to me in my role as police chief," Kugler said Tuesday, according to Northjersey.com. "We'll allow the legal process to take it where it needs to be. But I can tell you that I feel I've done nothing wrong."

GOP leadership backed him up on this position, agreeing that they don't see eye-to-eye with the AG's Office.

"I think the Republicans that voted tonight in the convention have a different viewpoint than the prosecutors as to whether Chief Kugler has done anything inappropriate or not," said Bergen County GOP Chair Jack Zisa, according to Northjersey.com.

The embattled police chief will run against incumbent Democrat Bergen County Sheriff Anthony Cureton.

Other notable GOP endorsements include Bridget Kelly, of Bridgegate fame, who is running for Bergen County Clerk. Read more: Bridgegate's Bridget Anne Kelly Running For Bergen County Clerk

Keep up to date with what's happening in your community by subscribing to your local Patch newsletter here.