COLLINGSWOOD -- A former borough police officer, who was caught "red-handed" a decade ago stealing cash from the his department's bail fund, saw an appellate court deny his chance at post-conviction relief.

A state Superior Court ruling rendered Tuesday felt Sean P. McGann's claims of ineffective counsel and more were without merit.

New Jersey public defender Joseph E. Krakora, who represented McGann, could not immediately be reached for comment. Collingswood police Chief Kevin Carey said Tuesday that McGann was terminated in 2007.

According to court documents, McGann was arrested on Dec. 22, 2006 outside his apartment and reportedly had $1,500 cash in his pockets at the time. He was taken back to police headquarters and interviewed about two thefts that took place there, later admitting his role in them. However, he also said he was intoxicated while speaking with investigators.

According to court documents, an anonymous tip about McGann allegedly selling steroids out of his freezer spurred police to search his home. McGann later claimed the search was done without a warrant.

A plea agreement helped McGann avoid second-degree official misconduct charges, according to the decision. He was sentenced to six months house arrest in July 2007, but violated that and was given a 364-day county jail sentence.

A trial court rejected the post-conviction relief petition filed by McGann, who later appealed that ruling. He claimed his counsel failed to suppress his interview with investigators, the evidence found at his home during the search and more.

A lawsuit contending McGann was was falsely arrested and his civil rights were violated was filed in federal court in 2010. It sought $5 million for violations of his civil rights due to lack of due process.

At that time, McGann had been a police officer for four years and an officer in an auxiliary capacity for another four. He had also received a handful of commendations during his time at the Collingwood police department, according to court documents.

An amended civil complaint -- claiming he was "wrongfully arrested, maliciously prosecuted" and had "fallen victim to a conspiracy" -- seeking $1.6 million from Collingswood police and $1 million from the Camden County Department of Correction was filed in July 2011.

Claims against Collingwood police and the county correction facility were dropped in 2012. In October 2013, after numerous unsuccessful attempts by the courts to contact McGann, his final complaint against the prosecutor's office was dismissed because he had "voluntarily abandoned the remaining claims."

According to the decision from Superior Court judges Jack Sabatino and and Karen Suter, much of McGann's claims were unfounded.

Per the decision: He gave "coherent responses" during his recorded interview with investigators, he gave consent for police to search his apartment and a conflict of interest claim between his counsel and the assistant prosecutor was "utterly without merit."

What's more, the superior court judges said McGann was "caught red-handed" taking cash from the police department's bail fund in a sum he admitted to under oath.

"The reality is that [McGann's] trial counsel effectively negotiated a quite favorable noncustodial outcome in this matter, which [McGann] proceeded to undermine by violating the terms of his probation," the decision reads, adding that his petition was "properly dismissed" before reaching the appellate level.

Greg Adomaitis may be reached at gadomaitis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregAdomaitis. Find the South Jersey Times on Facebook.