NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 2:11 PM LAST UPDATED: MONDAY, NOVEMBER 2, 2015, 10:32 PM
BY DUSTIN RACIOPPI
STATE HOUSE BUREAU |
THE RECORD
After a full week of not talking about the decision to end the 14-year tenure for Bergen County’s top law enforcement official, Governor Christie said Monday that the move was “long overdue.”
But Christie’s brief comments did little to answer questions about why Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli was told to leave, and why that move came amid mounting questions about the prosecutor’s decision-making and motivations in recent cases.
And also still unclear is who will replace Molinelli and when, a process that could take months unless Bergen County’s delegation of five state senators reaches an agreement with Christie.
Christie made his first comments on the matter Monday, one week after Molinelli was notified that he wouldn’t be renominated for a third term.
“The fact is that it’s time for a change in Bergen County. It’s long overdue,” Christie said after a meeting in Camden where he was highlighting police reform. “When that change is officially made, I’ll give you all the reasons why.”
Christie also said he wasn’t influenced by a letter sent by the Bergen County freeholder chairwoman referring complaints made against Molinelli at recent public meetings.
Thanks for using the picture of quarters for this story. Very appropriate. Comments, Mr. Rica?
Tommy Boy cut a plea deal with Molinelli and the judge – have Ridgewood residents seen any benefit from that? Has any of the $450,000 restitution been made to the Village apart from the pension & accumulated leave benefits that were lost? What about the poor lady who was murdered in Midland Park after Molinelli and the Midland Park PD failed to lock-up the psycho who violated his restraining order? Or the perv in the Glenrock PD who is still on the payroll, enabled by Molinelli and the brass there for years apparently without consequence?