NEW JERSEY - Off-duty Fairfield cop pleads guilty to lying to police about biker gang bar brawl..

OFF THE WIRE
NEWTON — An off-duty veteran police officer pleaded guilty to lying to law enforcement officials who were investigating a bar brawl involving two of his friends, both known associates of the Hells Angels motorcycle gxxg, authorities said today.
As part of a plea bargain agreement, Anthony Gerardi Jr., a 24-year veteran of the Fairfield Police Department, will resign from his job and not receive full retirement benefits, Sussex County First Assistant Prosecutor Gregory Mueller said.
Gerardi pleaded guilty to third-degree hindering apprehension for his role in the attempted cover-up of an attack on a patron who was hit in the head with a beer mug at a restaurant/bar on Route 23 in the Stockholm section of Hardyston.
“Anthony wanted to resolve the case,” said his Nutley-based attorney, Anthony Iacullo, adding his client will not be required to testify against his friends. “He didn’t want to put his family, the department or the community through a trial.”
More serious charges, including second-degree official misconduct — punishable by up to 10 years in prison — were dropped as part of the agreement.
“This (the plea deal) was primarily justified because this conduct occurred while he was off duty. He (Gerardi) also had exemplary prior public service,” said Mueller. “In this position, you try to be fair and objective with each case. This result is seen as appropriate.”
Gerardi went to the bar on Jan. 12 with Bernard Krynicki, a Hells Angels recruit, and Sean Sweeney, a club member whose girlfriend was celebrating her birthday. Later, Krynicki had words with a patron, then hit him with a beer mug from behind, prosecutors said, and Sweeney, wearing a Hells Angels cap, then tried to punch the patron’s wife.
When police arrived, the 48-year-old Gerardi identified himself as a police officer and said he didn’t know who had struck the patron. Gerardi also denied Krynicki, 45, of North Arlington and Sweeney, 42, of Hamburg had anything to do with it, authorities said.
But video surveillance that captured the melee proved otherwise, showing Gerardi sat just several feet from the attack, said Mueller.
Gerardi resigned from his job effective Wednesday, the day his guilty plea was entered before Superior Court Judge N. Peter Conforti, sitting in Newton. The prosecutor’s office will also recommend a 24-month probationary term and 200 hours of community service at the time of sentencing.
Gerardi, who is eligible for retirement in March, agreed not to seek future public employment in the state and will not to receive full retirement benefits, including the loss of medical coverage.
He was expected to receive an annual retirement pension of about $61,700, records show.
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