NJ Prosecutor Embroiled in Police Disability Controversy

Mercer County Prosecutor Joseph Bocchini has three strikes against him in the controversy surrounding Joe Derrico, the "disabled" Hamilton cop turned roughhousing repo man on reality TV.

A continuing investigation by New Jersey Watchdog delivered:

Strike one: Bocchini disobeyed the law by failing to inform state authorities when Derrico was indicted on a felony theft charge in 2010. The omission was confirmed by the state Division of Criminal Justice.

Strike two: Derrico's ex-wife, Brit Olsen, worked as a detective on Bocchini's staff. In spite of the conflict of interest, Bocchini did not turn the case over to other authorities for prosecution.

Strike three: Bocchini claims not to have records of the case, including the indictment and dismissal. If true, he is violating state rules that govern record retention by county prosecutors.

#Corruption #Disabilities