Continued Deliberations in Sheehan Case

CAPE MAY – The start of the jury trial in the lawsuit brought by Robert Sheehan against the City of Cape May was postponed while both sides continue settlement discussions. 
Sheehan filed his complaint against the city March 25, 2015, three weeks after he was publicly denied his position as chief of police on a permanent basis.
The City Council took the step to return Sheehan to his previous rank of captain because of what some council members said was Sheehan’s role in an ongoing investigation of Lt. Clarence Lear’s alleged misuse of compensatory time.
The Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office found no reason to pursue criminal charges against Lear or Sheehan, but the city held to its position and did not reinstate Sheehan as chief.
Lear retired from the department and became the mayor.
The day before Sheehan filed his lawsuit; the council held a regular meeting but changed the venue to Convention Hall to accommodate the overflow crowd of city residents and police brass from across the state.
When the meeting showed no signs that council would alter its position, Sheehan filed his complaint the next day.
Throughout the legal proceedings, Sheehan has maintained that his denial of confirmations as the city’s permanent chief was inappropriate and his reinstatement has been a central objective of his suit.
Sheehan’s position has been supported by the Cape May County Police Chiefs Association.
While Sheehan pursued his reinstatement, the previous council moved to appoint Anthony Marino, a 26-year veteran of the department, who was a sergeant, to the position of chief.
That move complicated potential settlement discussions with Sheehan.
In comments to council last week, Marino said he looks forward to the next few years as chief. 
“I come to work every day with the idea to make Cape May, West Cape May and Cape May Point better places to live and visit through proactive police work,” he said.
The case took another twist with the recent guilty plea of a former Cape May police officer, John Campbell.
Campbell was a prominent critic of Lear’s use of time in the initial phases of the Sheehan controversy. Campbell then served as the state representative for the Policemen’s Benevolent Association.
According to a release from the Attorney General’s Office, Campbell admitted that during that time he “stole tens of thousands of dollars” from the union’s coffers. He has admitted that he used the union’s checking account and a business credit card to make unauthorized personal purchases. 
Two and a half years of conflict have led to lawsuits, administrative hearings, a forced retirement, a council member’s resignation, a council indemnifying itself, and Lear’s overwhelming victory at the voting booth.
The extension of settlement talks may hold out the promise of some final resolution to these years of controversy.
To contact Vince Conti, email vconti@cmcherald.com.