Four Jersey City police officers have been suspended without pay following a 100-count theft indictment, officials said.
JERSEY CITY -- Three Jersey City police officers have been suspended without pay after being charged in a 100-count indictment, officials said.
Ray Worrall, media relations officer for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office, confirmed that four current or former officers from the department have been indicted on charges of conspiracy, falsifying records, official misconduct, and pattern of official misconduct.
Worrall said the officers charged are Joseph Ascolese, Kelly Chesler, Michael Maietti and Michael O'Neill. News12, which first reported the story, identified Ascolese as a retired captain, Chesler as a lieutenant, and Maietti and O'Neill as officers.
At least one of the four has also been charged with theft by deception, Worrall added.
Mayor Steve Fulop said in a statement that the city initiated the investigation with "an aggressive approach to root out corruption that has plagued Jersey City for decades."
"Today's 100-count indictment speaks to the extensive nature of the abuse by these individuals," Fulop said. "We are thankful for the partnership with the HCPO and we will continue to change the culture by rooting out employees who take advantage of the public trust."
In 2014, News12 reported Ascolese, Chesler and Maietti were paid "excessive overtime" while working for the Emergency Services Unit and now dissolved Jersey City Motorcycle Squad.
Jersey City spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill said the officers have been suspended without pay effective today.
According to a copy of the city's payroll dated February 2016:
- Chesler was hired with the department in 1999 and is paid $143,380.
- Maietti was added to the city's payroll in 1994. He is paid $112,330.
- O'Neill also joined the force in 1994. He is paid the same salary at Maietti.
Chesler and Ascolese filed a civil suit in March 2015 against Jersey City, Public Safety Director Shea, Police Chief Phil Zacche and other police officials who they said ignored Chesler's claims that she was sexually harassed by a member of the motorcycle squad. Ascolese, who says his complaints about the alleged harassment were also ignored, oversaw the the squad with Chesler.
Further details are expected from the indictment tomorrow, News12 reported.
The Jersey City Police Officers Benevolence Association has not yet responded to a request of comment on the indictments.