ASBURY PARK — A city police officer was fired after admitting he had sex with a woman he had arrested.

Antonio Martinez, who had eight years on the force before he was suspended and then fired in 2015, was one of at least four police officers that the Police Department acknowledged were facing internal affairs inquiries that year, the Asbury Park Press reported.

Martinez appealed his firing, which was upheld by an administrative law judge and the Civil Service Commission in 2015. A two-judge appellate panel on Monday denied Martinez's appeal.

The details of the department's investigation into Martinez and the other officers were kept secret — which is standard practice among law enforcement agencies in the state. But the accusations against Martinez were made public Monday as a result of him appealing his termination in court.

Martinez was accused of having a sexual relationship with a woman he had arrested on drug charges. He initially denied it to the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office, but later admitted the affair during the department's investigation into him.

Martinez admitted having sex with the woman while her criminal charges were pending, and said he continued the relationship after the case was resolved.

Normally, public employees are afforded "progressive discipline," with termination being the last resort. But an administrative law judge said his firing "was warranted, despite Martinez's otherwise unblemished record."

The appellate judges agreed, pointing out that he lied to investigators and violated multiple department rules by having sex with a criminal suspect.

Martinez's attorney did not immediately return a request for comment Monday.

The appellate decision does not name the woman or explain how her case was resolved.

Sergio Bichao is deputy digital editor at New Jersey 101.5. Send him news tips: Call 609-359-5348 or email sergio.bichao@townsquaremedia.com.

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