MORRIS COUNTY PROSECUTOR'S OFFICE

FREDRIC M. KNAPPACTTNG PROSECUTOR

(Attorney #013641978)

Administration & Records BICg.P.O. Box 900

Mon'istorvn, New Jersey 079 63 -0900

Telephon e: 973-285-6200Fax: 973-285-6226

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November 2.A, 2AI3

Honorable Andrew Wubbenhorst, PJMCMunicipal Couft DivisionMorris Cou nty CcurthouseP.O. Box 910Morristown, New Jersey 07963-0910

Mr. Will iam CloseAdministratorTown of Dover37 North Sussex StreetDover, New Jersey 07801

Re: Dover Count Administrator Sonia BarriaMCPO File No.: 2010X-004283

Dover Parking Ticket No. i L49495MCPO File No.: 20ttX-993I77

Dover Motor Vehicle SummonsesNos.: J148351 and J[47BA0MCPO File No.: 20I2X-000026

Dear Gentlemen:

As you may be aware, the Morris County Prosecutor's Office has been looking into anumber of allegations involving the loint Municipal Court of Dover, some dating back io 2010.Specifically, the aliegations were comprised of the following:

1. Court Administrator Sonia Barria (a) conducted translation services associaied with herprivate business enterprise during'lrer normal workday; (b) unilatei'ally reduced the fineto be paid on a motor vehicle iummons (SP4-577786); and (c) requested a ParkingEnforcement Officer to voluntarily dismiss a parking summons (i409-l-111910) issuedto the wife of a Whafton Borough Police Officer (File No, 2010X-00a283);

Re: MCPO File Nos.: 2010X-004283 , z0r1x-993177 and 20I2x-000026 Page 2

2' Someone may have unlawfully altered parking ticket number J74g4g5 (File No. 2011X-993t77), and;

3. Motor vehicle summonses (1409-J-148351 and 1409-J-147800) issued to a campaignworker associated with Mayor James Dodd were improperly dismissed (File No. 2012X-000026).

While our investigations into these matters failed to produce sufficient evidence to proveany criminal act beyond a reasonable doubt, we did horve'rer uncover facts suggesting thattickets are being Cismis:,. 'd rnrithout notice to the issuing officer and/or the policJOepartment.In fact, we have learned ihat the staff of the Municipal Court may be scheduling matters fordismissal in a non-exisient "Courtroom 2" in order to avoid notirying the issling officers.Apparently, the police d:partment is only noticed on those matters scheduled for'"CourtroomI." If true, these actions are troubling to say the least.

Although some of the dismissals at issue appear to have been made with the consent ofthe Municipal Prosecutors, we are uncertain if they have been consu ted on the "Cou rtroom 2"dismissals. It is our position that the issuing officers and the Munici:al Prosecutors should beadvised of all potential dismissals. A more transpai-eni system regarcing dismissals r,;ould go along way to reducing the mistrust behaleen ihe various stakeholdeis.

Accordingly, we are referring these issues to you for adrninistrative review and anyaction you deem appropriate. Should you have any questions regarding these matters, youmay contact Sergeant Steven Muzenski or myself,

Very

Robert A. Weber, Esq.Supervising Assistant Prosecutor/SDAG

RAW:eb

Enclosures

c: Honorable Gerard Smith, CJMC (w/o enclosures)Lisa Thompson, Esq. (Municipal prosecutor) (w/o enclosures)Douglas cabana, Esq. (Municipal prosecutor) (w/o enclosures)chief Harold Valentine (chief of police) (Vo enclosures)