County employee accused of official misconduct
On Feb. 11 a state Superior Court grand jury in Freehold charged William Doggett, 68, of Freehold Township, with third-degree official misconduct. If convicted, Doggett faces a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to five years in state prison, according to a press release from the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office.

In addition, Doggett would be subject to forfeiture of his public office and prohibited from holding future public employment in New Jersey, according to the press release.

As deputy superintendent of the Monmouth County Department of Weights and Measures, Doggett was assigned a county vehicle to be used by him in the performance of his official duties. As part of that privilege, Doggett was authorized to obtain gasoline for his assigned county vehicle at the Monmouth County Central Motor Pool on Center Street in Freehold Township.

An investigation conducted by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office revealed that in February and March 2007, Doggett, a county employee for about 28 years, took his assigned county vehicle to the Central Motor Pool. He then pumped gasoline from the county gas pumps into one or more 5-gallon gas containers. The 5-gallon containers were in the trunk of his assigned county vehicle when Doggett put gasoline in them, according to the press release.

According to the prosecutor, Doggett's job duties and responsibilities did not justify or otherwise explain his actions. Standard procedure at the county gas pumps provides for gasoline to be pumped by an attendant. In addition, standard procedure requires that anyone who obtains gasoline at the county pumps complete receipts for the gasoline. Doggett did not complete any receipts for the gasoline that he pumped into the containers that were in the trunk of his assigned county vehicle, according to the prosecutor's office.

Doggett was arrested on Aug. 3, 2007 and released on a summons charging him with official misconduct. In addition, Doggett was charged at that time with theft, a disorderly persons offense. A disorderly persons offense carries a maximum potential custodial sentence of up to six months.

Doggett has been suspended without pay since Aug. 6, 2007.

Attorney Frederick J. Kalma, of Matawan, represents Doggett. When asked by the News Transcript if he would like to make a statement on behalf of his client, Kalma said, "This matter is going to go to trial. I am sure that a trial will vindicate Mr. Doggett with a finding by a jury of not guilty."