LEWISBURG — A Union County judge denied a former Hartleton police chief's petition to expunge a felony from his record.

Following a hearing Friday, Union County Judge Michael Piecuch denied the expungement petition of Donald “Larry” Zerbe, 80, of Laurelton. Zerbe was convicted in 2013 of a felony count of extortion related to a "fines for playground" scheme.

"The defendant committed his crime while on the job serving as chief of police in Hartleton," Piecuch said. "The defendant has failed to acknowledge that when a law enforcement officer is convicted of a crime, it represents a serious breach of public trust. Despite years to reflect on his actions, he shows no remorse or accountability for the offense that resulted in his conviction."

Zerbe's justification for expungement is that he

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