By Craig McCarthy | NJ Advance Media

When news came out Friday of five more officers charged with official misconduct over alleged no-show jobs, one of the first commenters chimed in with a familiar retort: "ah yes... Edison again!"

The sentiment highlights what appears to be the police department's continuous uphill battle to rebuild its public perception.

Following the conviction of former Officer Michael Dotro last year, leadership was lauded for its removal of problem cops and for the foundation that was laid for what was to be the new Edison Police force by putting years of scandal in the rearview mirror.

The department, made up of 170 officers who patrol the state's fifth largest municipality, has still managed to make a few notable headlines this year. Here's a look at those stories and others that created the department's public perception over the last two years.

Don't Edit

Accusations of no-show jobs

The most recent scandal to come out in the department revolves around the police side-jobs that are dolled out internally.

Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew Carey blasted the department's system to assign this off-duty work, which is separate from overtime shifts, calling it "an inadequate system of accounting" that "has directly resulted in nepotism and corruption."

Five officers — Sgt. Ioannis "John" Mpletsakis, 38, Officer Paul Pappas, 43, Officer James Panagoulakos, 32, all of Edison Township, Officer Gregory Makras, 33, of Cranford, and Sgt. Brian Rossmeyer, 41, of Bedminster -- were each charged with theft and two counts of official misconduct.

Chief Thomas Bryan would not comment specifically on the arrests but said in a statement, "Once again, this demonstrates that the Edison Police Department took appropriate action" by alerting the prosecutor's office.

The officers pulled in more than $840,000 from the side jobs without showing up, authorities said. More charges are possible.

Don't Edit

Illegal steroid use probe

The side jobs weren't the only recent issue under investigation in the department.

Last week, NJ Advance Media reported on sources that at least seven officers had been placed on desk duty after allegations of illegal steroid use.

The exact number of officers wrapped up in the internal probe was unknown, but authorities are believed to have a ledger that names officers and alleged transactions in the department, as well as statements from one of the officer's former girlfriend.

Don't Edit

The arrest of Paul Pappas -- the spark of two investigations

Both the steroid probe and the side job investigations are believed to have come out of the arrest of officer Paul Pappas in March.

Pappas, 43, allegedly drove his unmarked police car while on duty to New Brunswick, where he slashed his ex-girlfriend's tires.

The 15-year veteran has been suspended without pay and is facing numerous charges over the alleged tire-slashing incident and accusations of using police records to stalk his ex.

Don't Edit

This isn't the first time some of these officers have had run-ins with the law

Pappas was named six years ago in NJ Advance Media's investigation into the shocking record of police misconduct on the force. The investigation revealed multiple excessive force lawsuits and domestic disputes involving Pappas.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Of the five officers charged with theft and official misconduct Friday, two cops had separate encounters with police involving nudity.

Mpletsakis was originally fired from the police force a decade ago after he ran from the scene of a car crash while off-duty. Mpletsakis had no clothes on at the time.

A judge reinstated him in 2007.

Rossmeyer was arrested, along with officer David Salardino, in a hotel in Ocean City, Maryland, after reports came in of a naked man posing in front of a window, "flexing" to attract attention.

All three were recently promoted.

Don't Edit

The lingerie cop back in the news

Anthony Sarni, 43, who was dubbed the lingerie cop after he admitted to showing up to a hotel in uniform in 2012 and pressuring a woman to model underwear, filed a lawsuit earlier this year, possibly trying to change the narrative behind his separation from the department.

Sarni, who settled two previous separate lawsuits with the town in 2016 for more than $200,000 over the incident, filed the suit in January claiming the township ran an "orchestrated campaign" to get him out.

The suit was never served and dismissed within weeks.

Don't Edit

Infamous firebombing cop

Michael Dotro, 40, was sentenced last year to 20 years in prison after striking a plea deal with the prosecutor's office in the firebombing of his former supervisor's home in 2012.

The sentencing brought an end to two arson plot cases and a host of misconduct charges.

Just days before the trial was set to start, Dotro, who was an Edison cop for 10 years, violated the terms of his probation by allegedly intimidating a witness set to testify against him.

Don't Edit

Edison cop allegedly gets in bar fight at Jersey shore, resigns

Officer Dmitry Smolkin resigned in June of 2017 after accusations came out the 31-year-old cursed at cops at a Jersey Shore bar and pushed officers when they tried to arrest him.

Don't Edit

At the beginning of last year, two former Edison cops were also sentenced on plea deals that spared them probation over a plot with Dotro to get payback on a law enforcement officer.

The officers, Brian Favretto, 41, of Brick, and William H. Gesell, 48, of Edison, were ordered to pay $325 in fines. Officer Victor E. Aravena, 45, was not sentenced then but agreed to a plea deal with the others in 2016 as well.

"The initial charges are quite serious," Middlesex County Superior Court Judge Joseph Paone said at the time. "It shows a culture of corruption that should not be tolerated."

However, the judge said, "he had to sentence in accordance with the plea."

In that case, Dotro pleaded guilty to conspiracy and admitted he planned to retaliate against the North Brunswick officer, who ticketed one of his relatives.

Don't Edit

Don't Edit

Craig McCarthy may be reached at 732-372-2078 or at CMcCarthy@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @createcraig and on Facebook here. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Have a tip? Tell us. nj.com/tips

Don't Edit

More Edison police stories

Betraying the badge: Edison police produce astonishing record of misconduct

Edison settles 'wagon wheel of death' police lawsuit for $200K

FBI lab lost hair sample in Edison police firebomb case; second hair not from accused officer

Cops showed 'flagrant police misconduct' in hotel drug bust, court rules