The Greenburgh police officer at the center of the dominatrix sex scandal denied any sexual wrongdoing at a court appearance Thursday.

Officer Erik Ward was charged with official misconduct last month and has been suspended without pay. The charges stem from allegations by Gina Annanoel Pane, a professional dominatrix who was arrested in January and says officers harassed her. Pane claims Ward promised her that DWI and drug charges against her would be dropped in exchange for sexual favors. A security camera caught Ward going to meet up with Pane near her home. However, Ward?s attorney says it was to solicit Pane to become a drug informant.

Pane's attorneys say they are planning to file a civil lawsuit in Supreme Court next week. If Ward is convicted of the charges he faces up to a year in jail. Ward could also face departmental disciplinary charges that could lead to him being fired.

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