Suspended Bridgeport Police Chief Chad Dojack entered a plea of no contest to a second degree misdemeanor charge of dereliction of duty before Belmont County Common Pleas Judge John M. Solovan II this morning in St. Clairsville.
Dojack, the second defendant charged in the high-profile scandal involving a Martins Ferry woman who served as the surrogate mother for the children of Hollywood stars Sarah Jessica Parker and Matthew Broderick, faces up to 90 days in the Belmont County Jail, a fine of $750 and five years probation.
Former Martins Ferry police chief Barry Carpenter was found guilty earlier for his role in the case and sentenced to two years on a third-degree felony charge of tampering with evidence and eight months for a count of theft in office, which is a felony of the fifth degree.
Dojack orginally faced two counts of complicity to burglary and a count of complicity to receiving stolen property.
Special Prosecutor T. Shawn Hervey said he agreed to the plea deal because Carpenter was found innocent on burglary charges, therefore Dojack could not be found complicit to burglary. He said it would be difficult to prove receiving stolen property charges against Dojack. Dojack's attorney, Ed Sustersic read a lengthy statement in which Dojack said he was "genuinely sorry" for the victim.
The police chief also stated that he believes the public has a negative opinion of him because of negative media reports.
During today's hearing, Dojack only answered " yes" or "no" when questioned by the judge. Sentencing is scheduled in Solovan's courtroom at 9 a.m. Jan. 13.
Judge Solovan requested that Dojack and his attorney prepare a history of Dojak's life to be presented to the court prior to sentencing.
"I want to know you," Solovan said to Dojack.
Dojak's family members were in the courtroom this morning.
(Heather Ziegler contributed to this story.)