Current:Home > ContactCourt reverses conviction against former NH police chief accused of misconduct in phone call-DB Wealth Institute B2 Reviews & Ratings
Court reverses conviction against former NH police chief accused of misconduct in phone call
lotradecoin insights View Date:2024-12-26 05:40:25
CONCORD, N.H. (AP) — The New Hampshire Supreme Court has reversed the conviction of a former police chief who was accused of violating sexual harassment policies following a call he made to a female employee, saying a judge misinterpreted the law.
In a 3-1 opinion released Wednesday, the court reversed the conviction on a misdemeanor charge of official oppression in the case of former Litchfield Police Chief Benjamin Sargent.
Chief Justice Gordon MacDonald dissented, agreeing with the judge’s decision.
Sargent was charged in December 2022 and was found guilty by the judge in April 2023 after a two-day trial. He resigned in May 2023 while appealing the conviction.
According to a police affidavit, Sargent was accused of being drunk at home on New Year’s Eve 2021, calling a female employee and saying he had a crush on her and suggested that he saw her as a potential romantic partner.
Sargent did not serve jail time. He was ordered to pay a fine.
An email seeking comment was sent to his attorney Thursday.
The law says a public servant is guilty of a misdemeanor if “with a purpose to benefit himself or another or to harm another, he knowingly commits an unauthorized act which purports to be an act of his office; or knowingly refrains from performing a duty imposed on him by law or clearly inherent in the nature of his office.”
The court found that the judge interpreted “to benefit himself” too broadly and that the evidence was insufficient to establish that he sought to do so.
veryGood! (534)
Related
- What Conservation Coalitions Have Learned from an Aspen Tree
- Paul Mescal Seemingly Confirms Romance With Gracie Abrams During London Outings
- Matt Gaetz and Rick Scott face challengers in Florida primaries
- Settlement reached in D'Vontaye Mitchell's death; workers headed for trial
- Las Vegas police could boycott working NFL games over new facial ID policy
- An Alabama police officer shot and killed an armed man, officials say
- Regulators approve plans for new Georgia Power plants driven by rising demand
- Beyoncé launches new whiskey with Moët Hennessy, and it's named after a family member
- Usher Cancels Atlanta Concert Hours Before Show to Rest and Heal
- 'Boy Meets World' star Danielle Fishel diagnosed with breast cancer
Ranking
- 'Business done right': Why the WWE-TNA partnership has been a success
- Horoscopes Today, August 19, 2024
- Political newcomers seek to beat U.S. House, Senate incumbents in Wyoming
- Favorable views of Kamala Harris have risen this summer heading into the DNC, AP-NORC poll shows
- US shoppers sharply boosted spending at retailers in July despite higher prices
- These Lululemon Under $50 Finds Include $39 Align Leggings & More Styles That Reviewers Call “Super Cute”
- Where Mormon Wives #MomTok Influencer Community Stands 2 Years After Sex Scandal
- Value meal wars heat up as more fast food spots, restaurants offer discounted menu items
Recommendation
-
Biden to designate 1908 Springfield race riot site as national monument
-
Injured Lionel Messi won't join Argentina for World Cup qualifying matches next month
-
PHOTO COLLECTION: Election 2024 DNC Day 1
-
Former NFL player accused of urinating on fellow passenger on Dublin flight issues apology
-
Infamous LA officer’s gun found in $1 million watch robbery case
-
Human remains discovered in Tennessee more than 20 years ago have been identified
-
Paul Mescal Seemingly Confirms Romance With Gracie Abrams During London Outings
-
Judge allows transgender New Hampshire girl to play soccer as lawsuit challenges new law