Associated Press

NEWARK, N.J. -- Former Seton Hall basketball coach Bobby Gonzalez has pleaded not guilty to a shoplifting charge.

Gonzalez is accused of taking a satchel worth about $1,400 from the Polo Ralph Lauren store in The Mall at Short Hills last month. Police say he removed the sensor device from the satchel and walked out of the store without paying for it.

Gonzalez was arraigned in Newark on Wednesday on criminal mischief and shoplifting charges. The shoplifting charge is punishable by up to five years in jail.

Gonzalez was fired in March after Seton Hall lost in the opening round of the NIT. He has sued the school over his dismissal.

Copyright 2010 by The Associated Press

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