BY CHRISTINE VARNO
Staff Writer

FAIR HAVEN –– A 21-year veteran of the Fair Haven Police Department has forfeited his position after pleading guilty last month to theft and misconduct charges.

Sgt. James Kirman pleaded guilty on Dec. 22 to one count of third-degree official misconduct and one count of third degree theft by deception in connection with the unauthorized and undocumented use of vacation and compensatory time between January 1999 and May 2005, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

The charges stem from an audit which was conducted by the borough of Fair Haven on all its municipal offices which included the police department.

The audit revealed discrepancies and irregularities in Kirman’s work schedule, triggering an internal affairs investigation, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

The investigation also disclosed that Kirman had duties and responsibilities in the police department that provided him with access to the daily work schedule, and as a result, he was able to schedule time off for himself without submitting the necessary documentation to reduce his available vacation and accumulated compensatory time, according to the release.

From around January 1999 through May 2005, Kirman took 116 days off without submitting documentation, resulting in an unlawful gain of approximately $31,000 in additional wages, according to the release.

Kirman will be sentenced before Judge Anthony J. Mellaci Jr. on May 5.

The state has recommended that Kirman receive a sentence of probation and be required to pay restitution to the borough in full prior to his sentencing date, according to the Prosecutor’s Office.

Kirman’s guilty plea disqualifies him from holding public office in the state again.