Police Chief Arrested Following Boston Incident
Authorities have confirmed the arrest of a New Jersey police chief after he was indicted on charges of kidnapping and domestic assault in Boston. The case involves an event that took place at a Boston hotel in September.
According to James Borghesani, spokesperson for the Suffolk County District Attorney in Massachusetts, the charges against Totowa Police Chief Carmen Veneziano originate from this September hotel incident.
Totowa Mayor John Coiro announced on Sunday that Veneziano has been suspended from his position without pay. State pension records indicate Veneziano earns an annual salary of $260,780.
Attorney Defends Chief Against Allegations
An attorney representing the police chief has strongly denied the charges. "There is absolutely no merit to these charges," stated attorney Jared Drill. "They are allegations by an ex-girlfriend, who was extremely intoxicated and got into a verbal argument with the chief at a hotel."
Veneziano, 47, was taken into custody on a warrant and placed in Bergen County jail on Friday, according to jail records.
Drill explained that the police chief and his former partner were staying together at a Boston hotel on September 14 when they had a disagreement. When hotel security and Boston police officers responded to the couple's hotel room, no arrests were made at that time.
The attorney further noted that after the hotel incident, the couple drove back to New Jersey together.
Legal Proceedings Underway
Last week, Veneziano was formally indicted in Boston on one count of kidnapping and three counts of domestic assault and battery related to the September incident, according to the District Attorney's office.
Borghesani confirmed that Veneziano will be arraigned in Suffolk Superior Court on Monday afternoon.
Drill stated that Veneziano is not contesting extradition to Massachusetts. "He is hopeful he will be released before Christmas so he can be with his family," Drill added.
