NEW JERSEY - Fairfield officer pleads not guilty in bar brawl case

OFF THE WIRE

FAIRFIELD TWP. – Suspended Fairfield Police Officer Anthony Gerardi Jr., 48, of Fairfield, was to plead not guilty at his first court appearance on Wednesday, April 4, at the Hardyston Township Municipal Court, after being charged with second-degree official misconduct and third-degree hindering apprehension and prosecution.
Gerardi’s lawyer, Anthony Iacullo, said in an interview Tuesday that he is confident that Gerardi will be acquitted of all charges.
"Officer Gerardi served the Fairfield Police Department for over 24 years and is a respected member of the community,” Iacullo said.
The charges stem from an alleged brawl between members of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club and patrons at Tony's Bar in Hardyston on Jan. 12.
According to reports, Gerardi allegedly was at the bar, off duty, with two men identified as Sean Sweeney and Bernard Krynicki, which police claimed to be "known associates" of the Hell's Angels Motorcycle Club. The pair reportedly got into a fight at the bar, whereupon Krynicki allegedly struck a patron in the head with a beer mug, causing serious bodily injury; Sweeney was charged with attempting to punch the patron's wife, police said.
Police allege both of these assaults occurred in the presence of Gerardi and that Gerardi failed to perform his duty as a police officer. Police also reported that Gerardi, after identifying himself as a police officer, provided false information to investigating officers in an effort to protect both Krynicki and Sweeney from arrest and prosecution.
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