ROCKAWAY TOWNSHIP -- A Rockaway Township police officer who was admitted into a pretrial intervention program after being charged with lying to a state trooper over a relative's DWI charge has returned to work.

Clifton Gauthier (File photo)

Clifton Gauthier, of Sparta, was facing a charge of official misconduct, but instead accepted a plea deal in June under which he would spend a year on probation and complete 25 hours of community service.

When reached for comment on Monday, Gauthier said, "It's great to be back." He declined further comment.

Authorities have said Gauthier called State Trooper Nagib Saad in February 2012 because Saad had arrested his cousin on a DWI charge.

Gauthier allegedly told the trooper he had discussed the matter with the municipal prosecutor, Denis Driscoll, who decided Saad did not have to appear in court.

Authorities said when Saad called to confirm that account with Driscoll, the prosecutor said he hadn't spoken to Gauthier about the case and the matter hadn't been resolved.

Driscoll then filed a complaint that prompted an internal affairs investigation and led to charges against Gauthier.

Under the terms of the deal, all charges against Gauthier would be dismissed upon the successful completion of the PTI program. His deal did not bar him from seeking reinstatement with the police department.

Gauthier, an Iraq War veteran, faced up to five years in prison if convicted of official misconduct.

Rockaway Township attorney John Iaciofano confirmed Gauthier was reinstated on Monday.

"He was discharged early (from PTI) presumably because he satisfactorily completed the terms of the program and his indictment was dismissed," Iaciofano said.

Iaciofano confirmed the police department conducted an internal investigation into Gauthier at the direction of the Morris County Prosecutor's Office, but "the investigation was concluded and he's been returned to duty."

Gauthier has been with the department for 13 years and two months, and was receiving an annual salary of $113,067, according to the township clerk's office.

Justin Zaremba may be reached at jzaremba@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JustinZarembaNJ. Find NJ.com on Facebook.