PLAINSBORO: Former cops facing extortion charges

By Allison Musante, Staff Writer
   PLAINSBORO — A dispatcher for the Plainsboro police department and two retired officers have been arrested and charged with participating in a conspiracy to extort information from another officer in an attempt to strengthen a lawsuit filed against the township and police department.
   Al Williams of Woodbridge, Nicholas Procaccini of West Windsor and Jason Mariano of Allentown have each been charged with a single count of second-degree conspiracy to commit extortion. Mr. Williams was also charged with a count of second-degree extortion.
   According to a press release from the department, police allege after an investigation that Mr. Williams — on behalf of Mr. Mariano and Mr. Procaccini — had contacted another officer on Nov. 29, 2010, and threatened to reveal confidential and embarrassing information about the officer, unless the officer provided confidential and embarrassing information that would assist Mr. Mariano in his civil suit. The identity of the officer was not released.
   Mr. Mariano’s lawsuit accuses the township and police department of harassment, the press release states. The township and department have declined to comment further since the case is pending.
   A two-month investigation into the extortion accusations began after the unidentified officer allegedly received a phone call from Mr. Williams and then notified Internal Affairs.
   Mr. Procaccini left the police department less than a year ago after reaching a settlement with the township and the department regarding his termination. The department was pursuing Mr. Procaccini’s termination based on four charges: he was late for duty, he did not follow protocol for making motor vehicle stops, he violated procedure for sick leave, and he violated policy in using the department’s e-mail system. The settlement allowed Mr. Procaccini to retire, but township officials said other details of the settlement are confidential.
   Mr. Williams was arrested and charged on Dec. 11, 2010. He was released after posting $35,000 bail. Mr. Procaccini and Mr. Mariano were both arrested and charged on Jan. 13, 2011. Both were released after posting $50,000 bail.
   ”As is the case in all criminal proceedings, the charges against Williams, Procaccini and Mariano are merely accusations and they are presumed innocent until proven guilty,” stated the release, which was prepared by Chief Richard Furda.