Tag:

Official Misconduct

Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG
Local NJ Police Sergeant Took Child Porn Images From Investigation For Himself: AG A local South Jersey police sergeant cherry-picked child porn images for himself from a case that his department was investigating, a grand jury indictment charges. Suspended Vineland Police Officer Christopher Ortiz, 39, of Estell Manor "requested from a subordinate and obtained via email" at least 17 images from a child pornography investigation for unauthorized use, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. All told, investigators found that Ortiz "possessed, viewed, or had under his control at least 100 items depicting the sexual exploitation or abuse of children," the attorney …
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For NYPD Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman
Paterson Officers Charged With Covering For Nypd Captain Indicted For Brutally Beating Woman UPDATE: The other shoe finally dropped with the arrests of three Paterson police officers in connection with what authorities said was the kidnapping and brutal beating of an off-duty female NYPD commander from New Jersey by a fellow captain she'd been dating. Giuseppe Ciarla, Juan Cruz-Fernandez and Jason Schmid let then-NYPD Capt. Hariton Marachilian leave after finding the victim with clearly visible injuries from a vicious beating outside a Paterson restaurant in December 2022, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. Marachilian and the female captain had been out to dinner wi…
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor
NJ Officer Who Caused 22 Fractures In 9-Year-Old Son's Body Convicted: Prosecutor A 53-year-old East Orange police officer faces up to 80 years in prison after being convicted of assaulting his 9-year-old son in 2018 on Friday, March 1, authorities said. In February 2018, Devin Higgs, a West Orange resident, brought his son to the hospital for injuries that Higgs said were from a fall, Essex County Prosecutor Theodore Stephens, II said.  The child had suffered 22 fractures on his ribs and a fractured scapula bone, along with bruises, scars and marks on his body, a sign of child abuse, Stephens said. Neither Higgs nor his son had explanations for his injuries, …
Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General
Two Paterson Inspectors Took Bribes For Permits: NJ Attorney General Two Paterson housing and zoning inspectors were indicted on Tuesday, Feb. 20 for accepting bribes in exchange for issuing illegitimate building permits, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Jose Fermin, a 50-year-old Prospect Park resident and Jose Juan Guerrero-Cruz, a 44-year-old Florida resident carried out their scheme between Dec. 2020 and Feb. 2022,  producing bogus documents that including imitation signatures purportedly written by Paterson’s Planning and Zoning Director, Platkin said.  Guerrero-Cruz and Fermin would accept money in exchange for Fermin producing the…
Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail
Correctional Officer Charged With Taking Bribes To Smuggle Drugs, Tobacco, More Into NJ Jail A New Jersey correctional police officer pocketed thousands of dollars in bribes from inmates in exchange for smuggling drugs, tobacco and other contraband into the Mercer County jail, authorities charged. Tyree L. Hobbs, 39, of Hamilton, was on the take for nearly five years, beginning in 2017 -- less than a year after he joined the Mercer County Department of Corrections, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. And although he paid some inmates in cash, others paid the $300 to $2,500 fee per delivery through mobile apps, the attorney general said. A grand jury in Trenton ind…
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG
Clark Township Mayor Charged With Forging Signatures In 24 Towns To Benefit Landscaping Biz: AG Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso was charged Monday, Nov. 20 with forging paperwork to nearly 24 New Jersey towns to allow his landscaping company to remove underground tanks, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Bonaccorso, 63, used township employees to help him run his private business, Bonaccorso and Son LLC, along with township devices like computers and fax machines, Platkin said following an investigation by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability Corruption Bureau. While running his business, Bonaccorso posed as an engineer, using his name, license num…
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor's Lab Results Show No Communicable Diseases: Prosecutor Returned lab results show an elementary school janitor accused of contaminating food and utensils with his own bodily fluids at his place of employment show no communicable diseases, authorities in South Jersey said. Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, was previously charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct for the heinous incidents at the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District, where he has worked since 2019, as previously reported by Daily Voice. "Based upon all available test results and clinical criteria, we have d…
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted
Corrections Officer Accused Of Smuggling Cold Cuts, Espresso Into NJ Prison For Inmate Indicted UPDATE: A corrections officer who was charged with collecting up to $500 a month in bribes to smuggle cold cuts, espresso, jewelry and cologne into a New Jersey prison for a convict known as “Tommy Two Times” is now under indictment. Werner Gramajo, a 46-year-old senior correctional officer at Northern State Prison in Newark, admitted only to delivering the pressed meats -- and not any of the other items -- after he was caught, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Gramajo, of Newark, also claimed that he wasn’t paid for it, Platkin said in announcing the indictment on Wednes…
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor
South Jersey School Janitor Contaminated Food, Utensils With Bleach, Bodily Fluids: Prosecutor An elementary school janitor in South Jersey faces multiple charges, including child endangerment, for allegedly contaminating food and utensils with bleach and bodily fluids. UPDATE: Police Papers Detail Heinous Accusations Against NJ School Janitor, Parents Livid Giovanni Impellizzeri, 25, of Vineland, also is charged with aggravated assault, tampering with food and official misconduct. Impellizzeri was employed by the Elizabeth Moore School in the Upper Deerfield School District. According to the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office, New Jersey State Police were contacted by scho…
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor
Cop Stalked Teen Girl, Sent Sexual Photos, Handcuffed Her On Jersey Shore: Prosecutor A patrolman at the Jersey Shore has been arrested and charged with engaging in a pattern of illegal behavior with a teenage girl, authorities said. Kevin Ruditsky, 46, who works in Manalapan Township, is believed to have sent the 16-year-old girl sexually explicit photos and handcuffed her during a traffic stop, according to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago. An investigation by the MCPO Professional Responsibility Unit was initiated earlier this month upon learning that Ruditsky had been sending inappropriate messages and photos to a 16-year-old girl, …
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Reindicted For Scamming Health Benefits Program State authorities rebounded from a dismissed case with a new indictment against Wildwood’s mayor, a former mayor, and a city commissioner on health fraud charges. Superior Court Judge Bernard DeLury, Jr. cited a technicality in deep-sixing the state’s initial case against Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and current City Commissioner Steve Mikulski nearly six weeks ago. The judge left the door open for state prosecutors to take another crack at it. A grand jury, in turn, returned a new indictment that New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said “demonstrates …
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG
Suspended NJ Police Chief Indicted As Sexual Predator, New Charges Added: State AG A local New Jersey police chief who’d already been charged with sexually preying on women is facing new allegations, the state’s top cop announced on Tuesday. Following his suspension amid sexual assault allegations, Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst wrongfully held onto his badge, then displayed it as if was still on active duty to a police officer who’d pulled him over late this past January, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. The charge was contained in an eight-count indictment returned by a state grand jury that focused mostly on what the attorney general called “sexually pred…
TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor
TikToking Teacher Posted Nudes To Twitter, Took Sexual Photos In Classroom: Ocean Prosecutor An Ocean County educator who was active on TikTok is facing multiple charges for posting nude photos of himself to Twitter, and sharing inappropriate photos of himself with a student over Snapchat, authorities said. Some of the photos that Kyle Banner, 48 — a teacher at both Toms River Intermediate North and Ocean County College — show him engaging in sexual contact with himself in a classroom, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer said.  The photos published on Twitter were viewed by students, and Banner was suspended without pay from TRIN on April 24, a day after the…
DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases DUAL BOMBSHELLS: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases
Dual Bombshells: Local NJ Police Chiefs Charged In Sex Cases Two New Jersey police chiefs – one retired, the other suspended – are separately charged as sexual predators within their departments. Suspended Manville Police Chief Thomas Herbst continued a pattern of “sexually predatory behavior targeting multiple women over many years,” New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in announcing the charges on Wednesday, April 12. One victim who worked for the department was sexually assaulted by Herbst both at headquarters and at her home, the attorney general said. Former Howell Township Police Chief Andrew Kudrick, meanwhile, “had an extramarit…
NO PAROLE: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended NO PAROLE: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended
NO Parole: Ex-NJ Trooper Gets 5 Years For Using ID To Skate From Traffic Stops While Suspended UPDATE: A disgraced former New Jersey State Police sergeant was sentenced to five years in prison without parole after a jury convicted him of using an ID card to get out of a string of Jersey Shore traffic stops while he was suspended from the force. Ex-NJSP Sgt. Marc Dennis, 51, of Waretown, also must forfeit his pension and cannot be publicly employed in New Jersey ever again, state Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said. Dennis shouldn’t have had the identification card in his possession after being relieved of his authority during the suspension, Platkin said. The 17-year department…
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam
Current, Former Wildwood Mayors, Commissioner Indicted In Health Benefits Scam UPDATE: Less than a week after pleading guilty to federal tax evasion, Wildwood Mayor Pete Byron was indicted by a state grand jury along with two other elected officials in an alleged health insurance scam. Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr., and current City Commissioner Steve Mikulski fraudulently participated in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP), the indictment alleges. In order to be eligible for the benefits, they needed to be full-time employees “whose hours of work are fixed at 35 or more per week” in their elected positions, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin ex…
Newark Officer Convicted Of Making $50K Working Private Security Job While Out On Sick Leave Newark Officer Convicted Of Making $50K Working Private Security Job While Out On Sick Leave
Newark Officer Convicted Of Making $50K Working Private Security Job While Out On Sick Leave A Newark police officer has been convicted of stealing from the department by working a hospital security job while on sick leave, authorities said. Newark Police Officer Anthony Gibson was convicted on Wednesday, March 8, of official misconduct and theft, according to Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II. An investigation found that Gibson took sick leave from the Newark Police Division from March 6, 2018, through November 2, 2018.  During that period, he received his full pay and benefits from the City of Newark, the prosecutor said. At the same time, Gi…
Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment
Jersey Shore Charter School Leaders Steered $115G Contract To Founder's Side Biz: Indictment The founder of a Jersey Shore charter school and its business administrator illegally steered a $115,000 contract to the founder’s side business, state authorities charged. Peter Caporilli, 59, of Absecon, and Michael Falkowski, 48, of Point Pleasant, split a single project to build an outdoor learning center at Principle Academy in Egg Harbor Township into two smaller contracts for $40,000 and $75,000, respectively, a grand jury found. They did so to evade public bidding requirements and prevent competing contractors from bidding on the first phase of the job, an indictment returned by the…
Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect
Disgraced Ex-Paterson Officer Charged With Assault Of Second Defenseless Suspect A former Paterson police officer already awaiting trial for beating one suspect over the head with a flashlight has been charged with doing it to another. Spencer Finch, 46, of Mahwah, broke a victim’s nose, knocked out two of his teeth and chipped another outside a Quick’s Food Store on Dec. 22, 2018, an indictment returned by a grand jury in Paterson alleges. In a subsequent use-of-force report, Finch said he was arresting the robbery suspect when he “became belligerent with police and shouted profanities,” Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said in announcing the indictment on W…
NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent
NJ Corrections Officer Admits Sucker-Punching Handcuffed Delinquent UPDATE: A now-former senior correctional police officer at a New Jersey youth facility admitted punching a handcuffed inmate from behind while colleagues held him and then lying about it, authorities announced Tuesday. Jason Parks, 43, of Gibbstown, admitted he hit the inmate twice in the head while his arms were handcuffed behind him at the Albert C. Wagner Youth Correctional Facility in Burlington County on Feb. 19, 2019, Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin said on Dec. 20. “The inmate was being held by two other correctional police officers and facing away from Parks at the time,” Platki…
'Egregious Abuse Of Power:' Former P-Burg Councilman Fires Back At Info Trafficking Allegations 'Egregious Abuse Of Power:' Former P-Burg Councilman Fires Back At Info Trafficking Allegations
'Egregious Abuse Of Power:' Former P-Burg Councilman Fires Back At Info Trafficking Allegations The ex-Phillipsburg councilman accused of trafficking the social security numbers, banking info, and other personal details of at least seven of his coworkers has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations an “egregious overreach and abuse of power” involving Mayor Todd Tersigni. Robert W. Fulper, 44, was indicted by a Warren County Grand Jury on second-degree counts of official misconduct and trafficking in personal identifying information, DailyVoice.com previously reported. Fulper, a councilman between 2018 and 2021, was allegedly found with “numerous documents containing……
Ex-Phillipsburg Councilman Found With Social Security Numbers, Banking Info Of 7 Coworkers: PD Ex-Phillipsburg Councilman Found With Social Security Numbers, Banking Info Of 7 Coworkers: PD
Ex-Phillipsburg Councilman Found With Social Security Numbers, Banking Info Of 7 Coworkers: PD UPDATE: Fulper has vehemently denied any wrongdoing, calling the accusations an “egregious overreach and abuse of power” involving Mayor Todd Tersigni. Read his full statement here. -------------------- A former Phillipsburg councilman was indicted after he was found with the social security numbers and other personal information of seven coworkers, authorities said. Robert W. Fulper, 44, was indicted by a Warren County Grand Jury on second-degree counts of official misconduct and trafficking in personal identifying information, Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer said in a joint release on …
Disturbing Details Released In Atlantic City Teacher Accused Of Relationship With Student Disturbing Details Released In Atlantic City Teacher Accused Of Relationship With Student
Disturbing Details Released In Atlantic City Teacher Accused Of Relationship With Student Disturbing details have been revealed in the arrest of an Atlantic City high school teacher accused of having an inappropriate relationship with a former student. Joseph A. Scalfaro, 47, of Absecon, allegedly sent the 17-year-old girl coded messages, kissed her in his classroom, NJ Advance Media reports citing court papers. He apparently checked into the Quality Inn in Galloway on March 8, where she joined him, the affidavit of probable cause says. The ten reported the relationship to authorities on Sept. 20. Scalfaro, a social studies teacher at the Atlantic City High Schoo…
Longtime NJ Police Communication Officer Stole, Resold More Than $250K In Equipment: Prosecutor Longtime NJ Police Communication Officer Stole, Resold More Than $250K In Equipment: Prosecutor
Longtime NJ Police Communication Officer Stole, Resold More Than $250K In Equipment: Prosecutor A 21-year New Jersey police department communications officer was charged after allegedly stealing more than $250,000 worth of equipment and shipping it countrywide for personal gain. Eric Coran, 41, of Medford, was charged with second-degree official misconduct, multiple counts of theft, criminal computer activity and impersonation, and second-degree money laundering, Mercer County Prosecutor Angelo J. Onofri said in a joint release on Friday, August 12. Coran, a communications officer for the Robbinsville Township Police Department since 2002, was terminated as the charges were issue…
Video Shows Now-Former Paterson Officer Beating Defenseless Suspect, Prosecutor Says Video Shows Now-Former Paterson Officer Beating Defenseless Suspect, Prosecutor Says
Video Shows Now-Former Paterson Officer Beating Defenseless Suspect, Prosecutor Says Body camera video proves that a now-former Paterson police officer beat a defenseless suspect with a flashlight and kneed him in the face in an apartment hallway, a grand jury indictment charges. Spencer Finch, 45, of Mahwah filed an official report maintaining that he needed to use force against what he claimed was a combative suspect, Passaic County Prosecutor Camelia M. Valdes said. The video from a fellow officer’s bodycam tells a different story, Valdes added. Finch – who was with the department for nearly 18 years -- is charged with aggravated assault, official misconduct, perjury, t…
Off-Duty Son, Lieutenant Dad Indicted In Fatal Parkway Crash, Charges Dropped Against Mom Off-Duty Son, Lieutenant Dad Indicted In Fatal Parkway Crash, Charges Dropped Against Mom
Off-Duty Son, Lieutenant Dad Indicted In Fatal Parkway Crash, Charges Dropped Against Mom An off-duty Newark police officer, his father and his cousin were indicted by a grand jury on charges of trying to conceal the death of a pedestrian struck on the Garden State Parkway last year, authorities said. Charges against the young officer's mother, however, have been dropped. Louis A. Santiago, 25, was staring at a cellphone when his Honda Accord drifted onto the shoulder and struck Damian Z. Dymka, a 29-year-old nurse from Garfield, near Exit 151 in Bloomfield around 3 a.m. on Nov. 1, 2021, they alleged. What Dymka was doing on the parkway shoulder, particularly at that time, was…
Ocean City Beach Patrol Member, Teacher Nabbed For Sex Abuse After Social Media Tip: Prosecutor Ocean City Beach Patrol Member, Teacher Nabbed For Sex Abuse After Social Media Tip: Prosecutor
Ocean City Beach Patrol Member, Teacher Nabbed For Sex Abuse After Social Media Tip: Prosecutor A 40-year-old former member of the Ocean City Beach Patrol has been arrested on sexual abuse charges, authorities said. Police were first tipped off to the alleged crimes through social media posts, according to Cape May County Prosecutor Jeffrey H. Sutherland and Chief Paul Skill of the Cape May County Prosecutor’s Office. Arrested was Jonathan C. Howell of Marmora, they said. Howell is currently employed as a teacher by the Pleasantville School District, they said. On Thursday, June 2, Howell was taken into custody without incident by members of the Cape May County Prosecutor'…
Mayor Of Jersey Shore Town Pocketed Parking Meter Money, Sold Borough Furniture: Prosecutor Mayor Of Jersey Shore Town Pocketed Parking Meter Money, Sold Borough Furniture: Prosecutor
Mayor Of Jersey Shore Town Pocketed Parking Meter Money, Sold Borough Furniture: Prosecutor A mayor from a Jersey Shore town has been charged with official misconduct and theft for pocketing parking meter money and selling borough furniture, authorities said. Authorities did not detail the value of the cash and other proceeds allegedly stolen by Paul Kennedy, 66, who serves as the mayor of Ocean Gate. These charges are the result of an extensive investigation conducted by the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Corruption Unit and Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crime Squad, according to Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer. The investigati…
Phillipsburg HS Teacher Admits Threatening To Leak ‘Embarrassing’ Info For Tenure Vote Phillipsburg HS Teacher Admits Threatening To Leak ‘Embarrassing’ Info For Tenure Vote
Phillipsburg HS Teacher Admits Threatening To Leak ‘Embarrassing’ Info For Tenure Vote A former Phillipsburg High School teacher admitted in court Wednesday to threatening to reveal “embarrassing” information about another employee in order to influence his tenure vote. George Chilmonik, 75, made threats to leak embarrassing information unless an official with the school district “took action consistent with their demands to influence a tenure vote,” Warren County Prosecutor James L. Pfeiffer said. Chilmonik, of Bethlehem, PA, pleaded guilty to second-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct and will be entered into a pre-trial intervention program as a result of …
Police Officer Brought Bergen Nurse's Body Home To Mom After Killing Him On Parkway: Prosecutor Police Officer Brought Bergen Nurse's Body Home To Mom After Killing Him On Parkway: Prosecutor
Police Officer Brought Bergen Nurse's Body Home To Mom After Killing Him On Parkway: Prosecutor A police officer was arrested for attempting to hide the body of a 29-year-old nurse who he struck and killed on the Garden State Parkway, authorities said. Louis Santiago, 25, an officer in Newark, was off duty when he swerved into the right shoulder and struck Damian Z. Dymka, of Garfield, on the northbound side of the parkway near Exit 151 around 3 a.m. on Nov. 1, Acting Essex County Prosecutor Theodore N. Stephens, II said. Neither Santiago nor his passenger, Albert Guzman, 25, of Newark, called 911 and instead, put Dymka's body in the back of Santiago's 2005 Honda Accord, Stephens sai…
NJ Correctional Officer Charged With Raping Female Inmate NJ Correctional Officer Charged With Raping Female Inmate
NJ Correctional Officer Charged With Raping Female Inmate A correctional officer from Jersey City was arrested Wednesday and charged with raping an inmate at the Edna Mahan Correctional Facility for Women. Tyrell Harris-McLaughlin, 28, was charged with sexual assault and official misconduct in connection with the Sept. 16 incident at the troubled Union Township state prison, Acting New Jersey Attorney General Andrew J. Bruck and Hunterdon County Prosecutor Renée M. Robeson said in a joint release. The charges were filed during an investigation by Bruck’s Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) and the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Off…