SPARTA, N.J., Oct. 19, 2004 (PRIMEZONE) -- Attorney Leo W. Desmond today announced that on June 22, 2004, a criminal complaint containing seven separate charges was filed against Sparta Police Department Sergeant John-Paul Beebe ("Beebe") charging that Beebe falsely swore under oath in a criminal complaint in violation of New Jersey Statute 2C:28-2, filed false police reports in violation of New Jersey Statutes 2C:28-3 and 2C:28-4; and used his position as a public official to obtain a personal benefit in violation of New Jersey Statute 2C:30-2.
The criminal complaint was processed through the Sparta Municipal Court and, because the charges involved crimes considered to be felonies under New Jersey law, were sent to the Sussex County Prosecutor, David J. Weaver, for review and prosecution.
The criminal complaints against Beebe also contained allegations against Sussex County Assistant Prosecutor Francis A. Koch ("Koch").
New Jersey Attorney General Peter C. Harvey was informed of these charges against both Beebe and Assistant Prosecutor Koch on July 12, 2004, in a letter from Attorney Desmond. Additionally, Desmond requested that due to the ethical conflict involving the Sussex County Prosecutor's Office having to investigate one of its long time Assistant Prosecutors, the New Jersey Attorney General's office take over the investigation and prosecution. Attorney General Harvey has refused to intervene and conduct an independent investigation.
Despite being in possession of a Sparta Police Department audio tape of a conversation between the Sparta Township Police and Assistant Prosecutor Koch, in which Beebe participated, that is contrary to Beebe's sworn statements in violation of N.J.S. 2C:28-2, Sussex County Prosecutor David Weaver, without additional investigation, administratively dismissed the criminal complaint against Beebe on July 14, 2004.
Attorney Desmond, pursuant to the recent New Jersey Superior Court, Appellate Division landmark decision In The Matter Of The Grand Jury Appearance Request by Larry S. Loigman, Esq. (Docket No. A-5546-02T2), has requested that the matter be presented to a Grand Jury. Judge B. Theodore Bozonelis of the New Jersey Superior Court has stayed the request pending an appeal of the Loigman decision by New Jersey Attorney General Harvey to the New Jersey Supreme Court.