The Greenburgh police officer at the center of the dominatrix sex scandal pleaded not guilty in court Friday.

Officer Erik Ward was arrested and charged with official misconduct, a class A misdemeanor, after a six-week investigation by the Westchester District Attorney?s office. The charges stem from allegations by Gina Annanoel Pane, who was arrested in January for DWI and drug possession. Pane claims officers harassed her when they discovered she was a former dominatrix. Pane says she met Ward after the arrest and engaged in a sex act in exchange for the charges against her being dropped.

Officer Ward was released on his own recognizance and continues to be suspended without pay.

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