A Wall Township police officer is accused of stealing thousands of dollars from the department’s police benevolent association, according to the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office.

Wall Township Police Chief Sean O’Halloran says that Sgt. James Cadigan was suspended without pay. He is accused of stealing $75,000 from the local PBA.

Cadigan, 40, has been on the force for 17 years. He was charged with second-degree theft by taking.

Authorities say the investigation started when members of PBA Local 234 realized money was missing from a recent fundraiser. Investigators say that Cadigan was the only one in charge of the charitable event.

The prosecutor’s office says that starting in 2018, “Cadigan made numerous unauthorized cash withdrawals from multiple PBA bank accounts and wrote checks to himself and to cash from these accounts."

O’Halloran is attempting to distance his department from these charges.

"The criminal charge against Sgt. Cadigan is not reflective of the honor, integrity, and fidelity routinely exhibited by the sworn members of this police department, as they are about protecting and serving the public in the execution of their daily duties,” the chief wrote in a statement.

The prosecutor has not revealed what the $75,000 was used for.

PBA Local 234 says it has made changes to make sure there is more oversight of its funds.