New Jersey’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability scored an important win on Thursday when a jury convicted suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst on four counts of official misconduct stemming from sexually assaultive and inappropriate activity after a three-week trial.
The victims were subordinates and the crimes occurred inside and outside the workplace, often while Herbst was on duty.
Prosecutors alleged that Herbst spent thirteen years groping, exposing himself, and sexually harassing police department employees, behavior that involved a “violent sexual assault” on the primary victim.
Herbst was also convicted of soliciting sexual favors from the wife of a police officer in exchange for favorable employment decisions and advancements, including a demand for oral sex from the subordinate’s wife in exchange for a promotion. The jury also found that Herbst “demanded sexually explicit photos of a different subordinate’s wife in exchange for a schedule change.”
“For years, Herbst abused his power and tormented his victims. Today’s conviction shows no one is above the law,” said Attorney General Matt Platkin. “At a time when corruption prosecutions and protections are being eroded nationally, in New Jersey, my office will continue to hold corrupt officials to account. We will continue to protect victims and serve the public.”
Jurors also found that Herbst viewed pornographic websites from work, and used his police badge to avoid a traffic violation while under suspension.
Platkin praised the OPIA for their prosecution of Herbst.
“Every day, they do the difficult, selfless work of investigating and trying these cases, and I am so proud of them,” he said.
Deputy Bureau Chief Marian Galietta, and Deputy Attorneys General Niccole L. Sandora, and Diana Bibb, prosecuted the case with help from Assistant Attorney General Andrew Wellbrook.
Superior Court Judge Peter Tober is scheduled to sentence Herbst on April 10.
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