• The judge ruled that the plaintiff, Capt. Charles Siedenburg, failed to identify any specific laws or regulations violated by the alleged actions.
• The court also found that Siedenburg's claims were based on personal grievances and internal policy disputes, not protected under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act.

A Superior Court judge has dismissed a lawsuit brought by a South Plainfield police captain alleging sexual misconduct by the former police chief.

Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Alberto Rivas last week dismissed with prejudice all claims by Capt. Charles Siedenburg against former Chief James Parker, the South Plainfield Police Department, Borough of South Plainfield and Councilman Robert Bengivenga.

The court also dismissed Siedenburg's request for punitive damages.

Siedenburg, with the South Plainfield Police Department since 1993, filed suit in 2021 accusing Parker of engaging in sexual acts with several female police department and borough employees, including a former police dispatcher, while on duty.

Parker's attorneys had argued the lawsuit stems from a personal dispute between the two officers because Siedenburg wanted Parker's job as chief. Parker became provisional police chief in 2010 and chief on Jan. 1, 2011. Siedenburg has served as a captain since 2013. Parker retired Sept. 1, 2023.

Siedenburg also alleged the former chief misused his emails and computer, to visit pornographic websites, and engaged in sexual relationships with...

Read Full Story: https://news.google.com/rss/articles/CBMi1AFBVV95cUxQRzlpeG16UXpPRE40QVNwM19U...