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Sunday, nov 3
Tag:
Matthew Platkin
Police & Fire
Two NJ Senior COs Charged With Sexually Assaulting Female Teen Inmate, AG Says
Two New Jersey corrections officers were accused of repeatedly sexually assaulting a teen at a juvenile detention center, authorities said. Senior corrections officers William Young, 35, of Marlton, and Gary Nieves, 53, of Burlington City, were arrested and charged, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said at a news conference on Tuesday, Oct. 29. The officers were accused of assaulting the 18-year-old while assigned to the Juvenile Female Secure Care and Intake Facility in Bordentown. "I stand before you as the chief law enforcement of the state and the head of the Depar…
Politics
Meet Andy Kim, Curtis Bashaw: NJ Politicians Vying For Menendez's Former Seat
Rep. Andy Kim, D-NJ and Curtis Bashaw, a business owner, are running for Sen. Bob Menendez's old senate seat after the disgraced senator resigned following his conviction on felony corruption charges. Here's a little bit about the two candidates: Kim has represented New Jersey's 3rd congressional district since 2019. He jumped into the race upon Menendez's indictment and fended off a challenge from First Lady Tammy Murphy, whose campaign struggled, forcing her to drop out before the primary. Kim's lasting impact in the race may be upending New Jersey's controversial "line" system. A j…
Police & Fire
Grand Jury Declines To Indict Police Officers In Fatal Shooting In Woodbridge: AG
Cranford police officers who fatally shot a Perth Amboy man on the Garden State Parkway in December 2023 will not face charges, the state attorney general's office announced Friday, Oct. 25. On Thursday, Dec. 28, officers from the Cranford Police Department were pursuing a stolen vehicle when it crashed in the area of Exit 131 on the Parkway southbound, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. After the crash, the driver of the vehicle, Kevin Harlfinger, exchanged gunfire with Cranford Police Officers Christopher Folinusz and Ryan McSharry, Platkin said. Harlfinger was pronounced d…
Police & Fire
Top
Njsp
Cop Investigated Over Antisemitic Remarks, AG Says
One of the New Jersey State Police Department's highest-ranking troopers is being investigated over remarks he allegedly made about the state's attorney general, the general himself confirmed. Matthew Platkin issued a brief statement about the investigation of Lt. Colonel Sean Kilcomons following a news report published by the New York Post, which alleges Kilcommons referred to Platkin as "that Jew." The Post claims the remark was made on "Bring Your Child to Work Day" on April 25, and that Kilcomons kept an NJSP helicopter in the air so that Platkin's son couldn't see inside of it. Th…
News
Why New Jersey Is Suing TikTok
New Jersey has joined a group of states suing social media giant TikTok, alleging the video-sharing app is highly-addictive and harmful to children. The complaint, filed temporarily under seal in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Chancery Division, Essex County, alleges multiple violations of the New Jersey Consumer Fraud Act (CFA), New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Other AGs are filling similar lawsuits across the country Tuesday, Oct. 9, including those in Kentucky, Louisiana, Massachusetts, Mississippi, North Carolina, Oregon, South Carolina, Vermont and Washington.…
Police & Fire
Former Wildwood Mayor Admits To Healthcare Fraud, NJ Attorney General Says
A former mayor of Wildwood admitted to his role in a healthcare fraud scheme that stole more than $600,000 in government funds, authorities said. Peter Byron, 68, pleaded guilty to three charges on Friday, Sept. 27, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said in a news release on Monday, Sept. 30. Byron resigned as mayor in September 2023 after he was indicted in the case. According to court documents and statements, Byron, current Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr., and Deputy Mayor Steve Mikulski enrolled in the State Health Benefits Program (SHBP) despite being ineligible. The SHBP is only open…
News
Discriminatory Drug Testing For Pregnant Patients Caused False Positives At 3 NJ Hospitals: AG
A South Jersey healthcare system was accused of discriminating against pregnant patients with a mandatory drug testing policy, authorities said. Attorney General Matthew Platkin has filed a lawsuit against Virtua Health, according to a news release on Thursday, Sept. 26. The company with corporate headquarters in Marlton operates hospitals in Voorhees, Mount Holly, and Camden. The lawsuit claimed Virtua has had a policy since 2018 of universal drug testing for all pregnant patients admitted to its hospitals' labor and delivery units. Virtua doesn't have a similar policy for those who a…
News
Undercover Operation: 23 Unlicensed Moving Companies Facing Fines In NJ Totaling $125K, AG Says
Twenty-three unlicensed movers have been issued notices of violation and assessed civil penalties totaling $125,000, New Jersey officials said. The penalties were the results of "Operation Safe Move," a state-led undercover operation targeting movers doing business without being licensed by the Division, as required by law, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said (scroll for a list of companies and what they're being fined). The civil enforcement investigation was conducted over a three-day period in June, in which investigators with the Division’s Office of Consumer Protectio…
News
19 NJ Retailers Fined $4,500 For Selling Illegal Flavored Vape Products, AG Says
Nineteen retailers across New Jersey are facing $4,500 after an investigation found they'd been selling flavored vape products banned in the Garden State, the NJ Attorney General's Office said. All 19 stores were issued a Notice of Violation after they were found to have violated the state's consumer protection laws, AG Matthew Platkin said. The enforcement actions are the result of a Division investigation into unlawful sales of flavored electronic smoking devices and products, including mint, candy, fruit, and chocolate flavors, Platkin said. The Division launched its investigation…
News
Once-Thriving Celeb Messaging Site 'Cameo' Violated Federal Guidelines: New Jersey AG
Cameo, message site that allows you or someone you care about to receive a video message from a range of celebrities, admitted to violating Federal Trade Commission endorsement guidelines, Matthew Platkin, the New Jersey Attorney General said. The website, features a diverse group of celebrities like former NFL head coach Jon Gruden, British politician Nigel Farange and legendary professional wrestler Mick Foley, reached a settlement with the state after it alleged Cameo failed to provide appropriate disclosures to consumers purchasing these personalized videos for business or product endors…
News
Harrowing Bodycam Footage Shows NJ Gunman Firing Rapidly At Police Before He's Shot Dead
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office has released footage from two police body-worn cameras capturing a shootout that left a 44-year-old man dead last March. Hamilton (Mercer County) officers were responded to an Orchard Avenue home for a domestic dispute just after 10 p.m. March 8, AG Matthew Platkin said. Hamilton Township Police Officers Derek Fiabane and Paul Piromalli were met with someone, apparently the 911 caller, who told officers that Vincent Correa was drunk and acting "a little bit out of control." They also said he was a hunter and had "a lot of guns" in the basement. Wit…
News
Details In Housing Discrimination Cases Against People With Disabilities Released By NJ AG
The New Jersey Attorney General's Office has announced eight more cases of management companies and housing providers who discriminated against tenants on the basis of disability. The companies and housing providers denied rental opportunities to people with disabilities, permitted severe or pervasive harassment of tenants based on disability, or denied reasonable accommodations to individuals with disabilities, in violation of the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination (LAD), according to AG Matthew Platkin and the Division on Civil Rights (DCR) The eight Findings of Probable Cau…
News
Attorney General, Wildwood Police At Odds Over Memorial Day Weekend Preparedness
The New Jersey Attorney General and Wildwood Police Department appear to be at odds over emergency preparedness following a chaotic Memorial Day Weekend. In a statement released on Saturday, June 1, the Wildwood Police Department said NJ Attorney General Matthew Platkin blamed the police department for the series of incidents that unfolded Memorial Day Weekend, in which rowdy teens prompted the closing of area boardwalks, according to various media outlets including NBC10 and the Press of Atlantic City. Platkin alleged that Wildwood had insufficient police staffing on its "world-famous…
Police & Fire
Update
: State Authorities Probe Police Vehicle Crash In Sussex County That Killed Woman, 19
State authorities are investigating a police-involved Memorial Day crash in Sussex County that killed a 19-year-old passenger in a private vehicle. The on-duty officer's car T-boned the civilian vehicle outside the ShopRite of Franklin shopping center on Route 23 at Walsh Road, according to witnesses, shortly after 10:30 a.m. May 27. Deanna D’Arco was rushed to Morristown Medical Center, where she was pronounced dead at 12:45 a.m. Wednesday. Her organs were donated through the New Jersey Sharing Network. ****** GoFundMe verified a fundraiser to help support D'Arco's family cov…
Police & Fire
Man Taken Into Custody In 'Active Distress'In Brick Township Dies At Hospital: AG
A man who police in Brick found "in a state of active distress" died at Ocean University Medical Center nearly 90 minutes later, authorities said. New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin’s office is reviewing the incident because state law and his own guidelines require him to investigate any death that follows an encounter with law enforcement. Preliminarily, Platkin said, it appears Brick Township officers handcuffed the man after finding him in the street in the area of Wisteria Drive and Vermont Drive, then brought him to a grassy area nearby and summoned EMS, shortly before 4:…
Police & Fire
Scooter Rider Killed In Jersey Shore Crash Involving Police Officer, State AG Says
A man riding a motorized scooter was killed in a multi-vehicle crash on Route 35 in Monmouth County that involved a local police officer, state authorities said. The crash occurred on the highway's southbound side near Sunset Avenue in Ocean Township shortly after 9 p.m. Monday, April 15, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Tuesday. The identity of the scooter rider, who was pronounced dead at the scene, was temporarily being withheld, as was the name of the on-duty Ocean Township officer, Platkin said. Neither the officer nor anyone else involved in the crash was injured, …
Police & Fire
'Reprehensible': Crimefighters Unite To Pursue Rutgers' Islamic Center Attackers (
Update
)
The overnight trashing Wednesday of the Center for Islamic Life at Rutgers University in New Brunswick -- which coincides with the end of the holy month of Ramadan -- is being treated as a bias crime, authorities said. Someone forced their way in sometimes before 4:30 a.m. April 10, broke glass and destroyed artwork and various other possessions, Rutgers Police Chief Kenneth Cop said. The attack came on Eid al-Fitr, the Islamic holiday commemorating the end of sunrise-to-dusk fasting during the holy month of Ramadan. "Today we witnessed art pieces with Quranic verses, shattered window…
Police & Fire
NJ Attorney General Takes Over Warren County Prosecutor's Office As Pfeiffer Abruptly Retires
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin took over the Warren County Prosecutor's Office after apparently forcing the man who held the job to retire amid a state ethics probe. Platkin announced on Friday, April 5, that he'd replaced James Pfeiffer "effective immediately" with a highly-respected deputy, Anthony Picione, whom he called "a native son of Warren County and a career prosecutor and public servant who has dedicated his career to the public good and rooting out corruption." Platkin has yet to disclose why the move was made. A spokesman said it resulted from an investigation by&n…
Police & Fire
Cleared
: Officer Not At Fault In Fatal South Jersey Stolen Motorcycle Crash, Grand Jury Rules
UPDATE: A New Jersey police officer did nothing wrong in pursuing a stolen motorcycle whose driver ended up dying in a subsequent crash, a grand jury has ruled. Despite the obvious circumstances, state law and administrative guidelines required New Jersey Attorney Matthew Platkin to investigate the death last April 20 of John R. Nutt, 41, of Mount Laurel because a law enforcement officer was involved. Platkin's office released video last July from both the dashcam of the pursuing officer and the bodycam of a colleague who arrived from the opposite direction after the crash. Also relea…
Politics
Judge Strikes Down NJ's Party Line Ballot System
Andy Kim: 1. New Jersey's party line ballot system: 0 In a legal ruling that will set off an earthquake among New Jersey party bosses, a judge ruled against the state's controversial party line ballot system. The system gives preferential treatment to candidates endorsed by the county party, issuing a preliminary injunction against the ballots for the upcoming June primary and ruling ballots must use office block ballots. Judge Zahid Quraishi announced his ruling on Friday, March 29, siding with Rep. Andy Kim (D-NJ), who had filed a federal lawsuit seeking to get the line thrown out. …
Politics
End Of 'The Line'?: NJ Leg Leaders Looking Into Ballot Design
New Jersey's county line ballot system continues to face scrutiny. On Tuesday, March 19, New Jersey's legislative leaders, Senate President Nicholas Scutari, Senate Minority Issue Anthony Bucco, Assembly Speaker Craig Coughlin, and Assembly Minority Leader John DiMaio issued a statement on the controversial practice, vowing to begin a public process on ballot design. The move comes after Rep. Andy Kim, a candidate for the Democratic nomination for the U.S. Senate filed a federal lawsuit looking to dismantle the "line," and testified in court on Monday, March 18. The layout is controv…
Politics
Jersey City Mayor Ditches Murphy, Endorses Kim In NJ Senate Race
Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop has seen enough from Tammy Murphy's Senate campaign. Fulop announced he is switching his endorsement to Rep. Andy Kim, saying he made a mistake in endorsing Murphy, the wife of Gov. Phil Murphy. "Clearly I made one here and this convention season has demonstrated he is the better candidate to represent NJ," Fulop, who is running for governor in 2025 said. "The backbone of our party volunteers and activists have spoken loudly and we should listen to them." The Jersey City mayor initially endorsed Murphy last year, but said on Reporters Roundtable on Frid…
Police & Fire
Update
: NJ Police Officer Wounded, Domestic Violence Suspect Killed In Shootout
A gunman was killed and a local police officer in Mercer County wounded multiple times in a shootout following a domestic violence incident Friday night, New Jersey's top law enforcement official confirmed. A 911 domestic violence call brought Hamilton Township police to an Orchard Avenue home around 10 p.m. March 8, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said on Saturday. "During the encounter, a civilian armed with a rifle exchanged gunfire with two officers," Platkin said. "The civilian was fatally wounded and pronounced dead at the scene. One officer was also struck and is being tr…
News
Dating App Bumble Pays Up After Violating NJ Internet Safety Laws: State AG
You might want to be careful the next time you swipe right. Bumble, the popular dating app, has agreed to pay $315,000 and change its business practices after the state charged it violated consumer protection and internet dating safety laws by misrepresenting its criminal background screening policies, New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. As part of the settlement, Bumble has agreed to disclose the company's criminal background screening policies on its dating website and app, to disclose whether those services allow people with criminal backgrounds to use the site and pr…
Police & Fire
Grand Jury Backs Officer In Crash With Jersey Shore Armed Burglar That Killed Passenger
UPDATE: A Long Branch police officer bears no responsibility for a crash during a pursuit that killed the suspect’s passenger, a state grand jury has found. Officer Lucas Brito did nothing wrong in pursuing ex-con Altonia Williams -- who was believed to be armed – while responding to a call of a home invasion shortly before 4 a.m. last Aug. 14, the panel found. A subsequent collision killed Tracee Blount, 38, of Long Branch, who was with Williams. State law mandated the grand jury review because a death occurred in an encounter with law enforcement. The reviews are conducted no matter what…
Police & Fire
Watch
: Video Shows Ex-Con Killed In Shootout With Police On Garden State Parkway
Chilling video shows a fleeing ex-con slamming a stolen van into a Garden State Parkway guardrail, emerging through the driver’s side window and exchanging gunfire with police who shoot him dead. Kevin Harlfinger, 40, of Perth Amboy comes through the window firing after the work van smashes head-on into the end of the guardrail at Exit 131 of the southbound Parkway in Woodbridge during a high-speed police pursuit less than two months ago, a collection of videos released by the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office shows. Harlfinger, in a hoodie and knit hat, begins climbing out the window an…
News
$1.4M To Expand License Plate Readers In Atlantic City
Atlantic City is getting a more than $1 million expansion to automated license plate readers in the city, officials said. State police will receive $1.4 million to buy and install 120 more license plate readers throughout Atlantic City, Attorney General Matthew Platkin announced on Thursday, Feb. 15. The readers will be installed in fixed locations throughout the city. The automated license plate reader (ALPR) technology uses automated cameras to scan license plates and store photos in a law enforcement database. That information can help police find stolen vehicles and missing people,…
Police & Fire
Fleeing Duo In 'Demolition Derby' Crashes With NJ Troopers Near GWB Were Juveniles: State AG
𝗨𝗣𝗗𝗔𝗧𝗘: A driver and passenger involved in a New Jersey State Police pursuit that ended in what one motorist called a "demolition derby" on the NJ Turnpike approach to the George Washington Bridge last week were both juveniles, authorities announced on Monday, Feb. 12. Video shot by motorists showed the driver desperately trying to escape undercover detectives by ramming several police and commuter vehicles with a Range Rover during the morning rush last Wednesday, Feb. 7.The pair were eventually taken into custody, said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin. The attorney general didn…
Police & Fire
Update
: NJ Attorney General IDs Cyclist, 56, Veteran Trooper Who Struck And Killed Him
A bicyclist who was struck and killed last week by a New Jersey State Police car driven by a department veteran with a deep history of social work was identified by authorities as 59-year-old Raul L. Diaz of Long Valley. Diaz was struck on Willow Grove Street (Route 604) outside the Hackettstown Senior Housing Development off Brook Hollow Drive in Warren County an hour before sunrise on Monday, Feb. 5. NJSP Sgt. First Class Kesene Grier was driving the unmarked black Ford Explorer that hit him shortly after 6 a.m., New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. Diaz was rushed up t…
Police & Fire
NJ Mental Health Clinics Founded By Late Liberian Defendant Agree To Forfeit $6.4M, More
UPDATE: New Jersey authorities have legally seized $6.4 million and other assets from a chain of mental health clinics founded by a recently deceased Liberian presidential candidate for billing Medicaid for more than 10,000 bogus claims. Daniel E. Cassell, formerly of Perkasie, PA was under a 17-count state indictment when he died of an apparent heart attack at 56 years old on Christmas Day 2022. The West African-born Cassell -- who was a psychologist, business consultant and politician and founding member of Liberia's People Liberation Party -- was the president and chief executive officer…
Police & Fire
Update
: AG's Office Reviews Death Of Cyclist Hit By Unmarked State Police SUV In Northwest NJ
New Jersey authorities are conducting a mandatory review of a fatal crash involving a State Police trooper and a bicyclist in Warren County earlier this week. The bicycle was seen on its side on the road's shoulder behind the unmarked black Ford Explorer that hit it on Willow Grove Street (Route 604) outside the Hackettstown Senior Housing Development off Brook Hollow Drive an hour before sunrise on Monday, Feb. 5. The adult cyclist was rushed up the street to Hackettstown Medical Center shortly after 6 a.m., New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin said. He was pronounced dead at 7:17 …
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