An investigation by the Mercer County District Attorney's office showed no credible evidence of wrongdoing on the part of a Sharon police officer accused of misconduct in a state prison inmate's lawsuit, District Attorney James P. Epstein said.

The lawsuit filed recently in Mercer County court by Jody Gabriele alleges that Sgt. Walter Bedich had sexually explicit photos of Gabriele's ex-wife which he kept from the investigation of a fatal 2001 home invasion case and showed to other policemen.

"Anyone can file a lawsuit alleging anything. It doesn't mean it's credible," Epstein said.

Gabriele, 41, formerly of 352 Elm St., Sharon, is serving a 3è-to-12-year state prison sentence in Albion. After completing that sentence, he must serve another 18 months to 3 years on a Mercer County charge of making terroristic threats.

Epstein said Mayor David O. Ryan and Police Chief Thomas M. Burke became aware of the allegations made by Gabriele and asked the district attorney's office to investigate the claims in February.