An attorney for a Belmar police captain accused of "official misconduct" by a fired cop vowed to fight what he called a "meritless" charge.
"We’re seeking a dismissal of this false and meritless charge as soon as possible," said Edward Bertucio, an attorney for Capt. Andrew Huisman.
Former Belmar Officer Darren Vitello claims that Chief Thomas Palmisano "did commit official misconduct with the purpose to injure or deprive another .... specifically by giving sworn false testimony under oath," according to Monmouth County Courthouse records.
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Attempts to reach Vitello were unsuccessful Monday. A woman answered a call to a phone number listed in his name; after she was heard talking to someone, the line was disconnected.
The offense allegedly was committed on July 20, 2011 but the complaint was signed on Feb. 21. A court appearance was originally scheduled for March 5, according to the records.
The other complaint from Vitello claims that Huisman "did commit official misconduct specifically by pressuring Luis Abreu to provide false statements, knowing they were not trueful [sic] and accurate with the intent to deprive another of a benefit."
It goes on to say that someone "then provided this information to the Monmouth County grand jury knowing it to be false obstructing the investigation."
That offense allegedly was committed on Feb. 24, 2009 but the complaint from Vitello wasn't signed until Feb. 21 of this year. A court appearance also was initially scheduled for March 5, according to records.
The offense allegedly was committed on July 20, 2011 but the complaint was signed on Feb. 21. A court appearance was originally scheduled for March 5, according to the records.
The other complaint from Vitello claims that Huisman "did commit official misconduct specifically by pressuring Luis Abreu to provide false statements, knowing they were not trueful [sic] and accurate with the intent to deprive another of a benefit."
It goes on to say that someone "then provided this information to the Monmouth County grand jury knowing it to be false obstructing the investigation."
That offense allegedly was committed on Feb. 24, 2009 but the complaint from Vitello wasn't signed until Feb. 21 of this year. A court appearance also was initially scheduled for March 5, according to records.
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