Former Bergen Prosecutor Faces Backlash from NJ PBA Over Daniel’s Law Advocacy

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Ridgewood NJ, former Bergen County Prosecutor John Molinelli is under fire from the New Jersey State Policemen’s Benevolent Association (NJ PBA) after taking on the role of spokesperson for the Public Safety Information Protection Coalition, a group seeking to revise Daniel’s Law to its original 2020 version.

The NJ PBA issued a sharp letter Wednesday condemning the coalition and Molinelli’s involvement, arguing that the proposed changes would jeopardize the safety of law enforcement officers, judges, prosecutors, and their families.

What Is Daniel’s Law?

Daniel’s Law, passed in 2020, was created in response to the tragic shooting death of Daniel Anderl, the 20-year-old son of U.S. District Judge Esther Salas, at their North Brunswick home. The shooter, a disgruntled attorney, posed as a delivery driver and opened fire when the door was answered.

The law allows judges, prosecutors, and law enforcement officers to request removal of their personal identifying information—such as home addresses—from government-operated websites. It aims to prevent similar attacks by limiting public access to sensitive data.

Coalition Challenges and PBA Response

The Public Safety Information Protection Coalition, supported by data privacy firm Atlas Data Privacy Corporation, argues that 2023 amendments to Daniel’s Law have weakened its protections. In an April 9 press release, Molinelli called the law “broken” and warned that it might not withstand constitutional scrutiny if not reverted to its original form.

However, the NJ State PBA and several Bergen County PBAs claim these efforts are profit-driven attempts by “billion-dollar brokers” to undermine a critical public safety law. The organization accuses the coalition of masquerading as advocates while endangering public servants.

“How much does it cost to get someone to turn their back on the men and women they used to lead and put their lives at risk?” the letter asks, directly addressing Molinelli, who served as Bergen County Prosecutor for nearly 14 years.

Allegations of Lobbyist Influence

The PBA’s letter references a Politico article from April 5, 2024, and a February conference call involving the Association of National Advertisers (ANA) and the Consumer Data Industry Association (CDIA). According to the PBA, executives on the call discussed spreading misinformation and pressuring state lawmakers to water down Daniel’s Law to reduce compliance costs.

“The ANA-CDIA meeting’s agenda was not about helping companies comply, but instead focused on rallying companies around a covert plan designed to undermine and ultimately destroy Daniel’s Law,” the letter states.

Law Enforcement and Public Reaction

State PBA President Peter Andreyev said dozens of law enforcement members contributed to the open letter, voicing concerns over corporate resistance to data privacy laws.

“Companies refusing to comply with data privacy laws simply to maintain their profit margins have a harrowing effect on every member of law enforcement and their families,” said Andreyev.

Meanwhile, Judge Esther Salas continues to speak publicly about the long-term trauma caused by the attack on her family, recently condemning anonymous packages sent to judges bearing her deceased son’s name as part of what she called “psychological warfare.”

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