EDISON — A retired Edison police captain who was accused of using sick time while working another job without permission was indicted on official misconduct charges, the Middlesex County prosecutor's office said Friday. Natale "Andy" Fresco was indicted on two counts of the second-degree misconduct charge, which carry a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence if convicted. The charges are significantly...
EDISON -- A retired Edison police captain who was accused of using sick time while working another job without permission was indicted on official misconduct charges, the Middlesex County prosecutor's office said Friday.
Natale "Andy" Fresco was indicted on two counts of the second-degree misconduct charge, which carry a mandatory five-year minimum prison sentence if convicted. The charges are significantly more serious than what Fresco was charged with last month -- a single third-degree count of theft. The grand jury also charged Fresco with theft and theft by deception.
http://www.nj.com/middlesex/index.ssf/2015/11/edison_police_captain_charged_with_theft.html
The indictment means that a grand jury has found there is probable cause for the charges, which could head to trial barring a plea agreement.
Fresco was accused of drawing down about $38,000 worth of sick time while working a security job at the Menlo Park Mall. He did so without the town's permission, according to authorities. However, Fresco's lawyer has said the township was aware of his plans.
"It's the same comment I've always made," attorney Darren Gelber said of the indictment." It doesn't change anything for me."
Fresco worked for the Edison Police Department for 37 years before retiring on Oct. 1. He suffers from cancer.
From July 15 to Sept. 30, he worked a job at the Menlo Park Mall as head of security.
His final salary with the township was $189,000, according to the prosecutor's office. He made $65,000 annually at the mall, prosecutors said.
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