New Jersey governments across the state, from the smallest towns to some of the largest cities, have spent at least $42.7 million this decade to cover-up deaths, physical abuses and sexual misconduct at the hands of bad cops.

The abuses have left a staggering toll: at least 19 dead; 131 injured; 7 sexual transgressions, plus dozens of other offenses ranging from false arrest to harassment, the two-year investigation by the Asbury Park Press found. In many cases, local police departments knew about, even tolerated, violent behavior before the cops killed or maimed innocent people, the Press found.

The damage is concealed by government officials who use a veil of secret settlements and nondisclosure agreements to silence victims. Investigations of rogue cops are routinely hidden from the public by police, elected officials and even the courts, the Press found.