Prosecutor’s office named in complaint

Girlfriend of former Bordentown City Police Chief Philip Castagna has filed notice that she may sue the Burlington County prosecutor’s office.

By: Scott Morgan
   Three months after officers from the Burlington County prosecutor’s office charged former Bordentown City Police Chief Philip Castagna with arson and conspiracy to commit murder, the ex-chief’s girlfriend has filed notice that she may sue the prosecutor’s office for its handling of the arrest.
   Felicia Goldberg, 31, the former chief’s girlfriend, filed a torte complaint — the legal precursor to a lawsuit — in the Burlington County solicitor’s office last week condemning the actions of the prosecutor’s officers when they entered her Somerset County home on Oct. 7 and arrested Mr. Castagna. The prosecutor’s office charged Mr. Castagna, 43, with conspiring to have his estranged wife killed, and with starting a July 4, 2003, fire that damaged part of the Castagnas’ former home in Burlington Township.
   The ex-chief has vehemently and repeatedly denied any wrongdoing. That case is still awaiting trial.
   According to Ms. Goldberg’s claim, filed through attorney Thomas Barron of Moorestown, officers comprised of the Franklin Township Police Department and Burlington County prosecutor’s office "violently and without justification" removed Mr. Castagna from her home and handcuffed Ms. Goldberg, forcing her to sit on the floor.
   The claim states, "This seizure was done without probable cause and without a properly authorized warrant or legal process."
   The claim also states that Ms. Goldberg had been detained for two hours for questioning and was falsely told by two investigators that Mr. Castagna’s wife, Joyce Leopold-Castagna, had been killed.
   "This statement shocked and emotionally devastated (Ms. Goldberg), who believed that Joyce Castagna had been murdered for an additional two days before she learned that the statements made by the investigators were false," the claim states.
   Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi did not return calls for this article.
   County Solicitor Evan Crook said his office has not been served with any complaints but would not comment any further on the case.
   From the days immediately following the ex-chief’s arrest, friends and members of the Castagna family stated that they felt Mr. Castagna was a victim of persecution by the prosecutor’s office.
   Mr. Castagna’s sister, Claire Lindsey, who lives on Lucas Street, said in October that she believed the prosecutor’s office harassed her brother and abused him physically and emotionally. Ms. Lindsey at the time condemned the prosecutor’s office’s tactics, particularly the ploy of telling Ms. Goldberg that Ms. Leopold-Castagna was dead.
   Ms. Goldberg’s claim states she has suffered emotional injury and approximately $4,000 in property damages (in rent and lost deposits).
   Mr. Castagna’s lawyer, Robin Lord of Trenton, has, like her client, denied any claims that Mr. Castagna is looking to cause anyone harm.
   "He has conspired with nobody to harm Joyce or anybody else," Ms. Lord said of her client. She also acknowledged the idea that Mr. Castagna could be a target of a zealous prosecutor’s office.
   "I do believe that (Mr. Castagna) has been singled out for being prosecuted for crimes he didn’t commit," Ms. Lord said. She has also referred to the prosecutor’s case against Mr. Castagna as "completely bogus."
   Mr. Castagna began his career with the Bordentown City Police Department in 1985. In 1989, at 28, he became the youngest chief of police in New Jersey. During his time as chief, he served as president of Burlington County Chiefs of Police and president of the Bordentown Rotary.
   In 1995, he received a commendation from the county prosecutor’s office for his actions during a standoff with a man firing arrows at his girlfriend.
   Mr. Castagna was removed from his position last May after state Superior Court Judge James Morley found him guilty of harassing his wife and in contempt of court by violating a restraining order.