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Given the trouble Hugh Johnson is in, the pastor at Emerson Assumption Parish suggested he consider “taking a break” from his duties with the church until the matters were resolved, Emerson Police Chief Mike Saudino told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
These include several outstanding harassment complaints filed by various Closter officials and employees.
“Apparently, Mr. Johnson didn’t like that,“ Saudino said.
Johnson then threatened the pastor over the phone, the chief said.
Johnson remains free pending a hearing in Central Municipal Court in Hackensack, but he could be in for bigger trouble: Emerson police are notifying his probation officer of the violation, Saudino told CLIFFVIEW PILOT.
Although the pastor signed a complaint for harassment, police, based on what was said during the call, charged Johnson with making terrorist threats, the chief said.
A judge fined Johnson $1,016 and sentenced him to one year of probation on July 15 after finding him guilty of harassing former Closter mayor and Planning Board member Joseph Bianco. Judge Roy McGeady also barred Johnson from going into Borough Hall or on DPW property, without written permission from his probation officer.
This followed a trial in which several people testified about repeated calls by Johnson to the homes and offices of Closter officials.
The judge also listened to threatening voice messages left by Johnson, who already had harassment convictions on his record.
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