Saddle Brook Police Chief Robert Kugler will again run for Bergen County Sheriff, making a second bid after his 2021 campaign was derailed by an indictment by state prosecutors that was later dismissed.
One year after he lost his bid to unseat incumbent Anthony Cureton, he was vindicated by a Superior Court Judge who found that Kugler didn’t violate any law by permitting police escorts for funeral processions to cemeteries involving a local funeral home he owns.
“I would be honored to once again receive the support of the Bergen County Republicans to be their candidate for sheriff,” Kugler said. “This time around, the improper action against me will no longer be hanging over my head.”
Deputy Attorney General Eric Cohen, who prosecuted Kugler for the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), left out critical information that might have benefited the suspended police chief to the grand jury that indicted him, Superior Court Judge Marilyn Clark said in her ruling.
“Presenting evidence in fair context, and presenting material exculpatory evidence is certainly required,” said Clark.
Cohen is no longer employed by the attorney general’s office and is now in private practice. The OPIA is facing a wave of allegations from various attorneys — all former prosecutors — that they regularly engaged in holding back evidence from grand juries in order to secure indictments.
Then-Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced charges against Kugler in March 2021 after he had already joined the race for sheriff. The indictment came on September 24, just as vote-by-mail ballots had gone out.
Despite the allegations against him, Bergen County Republicans stuck with Kugler, who spent four decades as a police officer and 30 years as chief.
He defeated Harry Shortway, Jr., the 82-year-old Midland Park mayor, at the party convention by a vote of 269-98, 73%-27%. In the primary, he defeated Shortway by an 82%-18% margin.
The indictment didn’t stop Kugler from mounting a strong challenge against Cureton. He lost by a 54%-46% margin.
“I went through a lot, but it is what it was,” Kugler said. “Public safety is my passion. It’s important to me.
Kugler said that Bergen County residents “need and deserve a sheriff who not only knows how to administer public safety, but someone with the proven experience to ensure cooperative law and order throughout our diverse communities.”
So far, Kugler is the only announced candidate. The deadline to file a letter of intent with the Bergen County Republican Organization to seek party support is February 1.