NJ - Madison police officer (James Haspel) who solicited sex from girls on the Internet loses his pension

Original Article

02/13/2012

By Jarrett Renshaw

MADISON — A state board ruled today that a veteran Madison police officer who used the Internet to solicit sex from girls as young as 11 does not deserve a pension.

James Haspel, a 26-year police officer at Madison, had his pension taken away today by the Police and Firemen's Retirement System’s Board of Trustees.

Haspel was sentenced in December to six years in state prison for soliciting a nude photo from an investigator posing as a 13-year-old girl online, according to the Attorney General’s Office. In at least one occasion, Haspel continued to solicit sex from an undercover officer who told him she was an eighth-grade girl, the trustees said.

Haspel’s wife, [name withheld] Haspel, was accompanied by attorney William Claxton at the board meeting. Claxton said James Haspel, 50, suffers from alcoholism and argued that board members should not penalize his wife and two teenage children for his misdeeds.

Board member Vincent Foti said, “I know this sounds harsh, but his family is not my responsibility. He had a responsibility to think about his entire family before he did what he did."

Not everyone agreed with the decision.

Board member Marty Barrett said until 2009 — when the investigation began — James Haspel was an officer in good standing. Thus, board members should consider reducing his pension, not eliminating it. He also said, “He never made any physical contact with these girls.”

The “no-contact” defense drew quick anger from his board colleagues.

“Marty, he was a cop and you’re talking about the most egregious act,” said board member Richard Mikutsky.

James Haspel can appeal the ruling.