ALBANY, N.Y. -- The Albany Police Department has officially closed an internal investigation into whether one of its officers was involved in a sexual relationship with a minor. Albany Police Chief Brendan Cox says the officer was cleared because he did not do anything illegal.
"The information that was received was that one of our officers was potentially involved in a sexual relationship with somebody that was underage,” said Cox. “We interviewed our officer. He opened his entire life to us. We have since proven that those allegations are completely untrue. Our officer was not involved in any kind of illegal activity.”
The allegation was made by Anthony Aubin, 27, who was arrested in October for allegedly using fake checks to buy luxury cars. Aubin’s boyfriend is Schenectady Police Officer Jonathon Moore, who is currently suspended from the department with pay pending an investigation into his potential involvement in the fraud checks case. An Albany Times Union article brought light to that case, but Cox says his department’s investigation focused on one claim.
"What we investigated was the underage part, and that was completely fabricated by Mr. Aubin,” Cox said.
But being able to clear the officer of any wrongdoing doesn’t make up for the potential tragedy that could have happened.
"It could ruin somebody’s life,” Cox said. "I mean, first and foremost, any type of false accusation can ruin a police officer’s career. This man was basically accusing an officer of being a pedophile, which was completely untrue."
Now the officer who was cleared can continue protecting the City of Albany.
"Being a gay man in life is probably not the easier thing. People are discriminated against. And being a gay man who’s also a police officer is definitely probably not the easiest thing to do," Cox said. "I’m glad that he’s going to be able to move on with his life."