Prosecutor’s Office seizes Millstone Twp. records

BY JENNIFER KOHLHEPP
Staff Writer

Investigators from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office raided Millstone Township’s municipal building last week.

At least two investigators entered the township offices on Millstone Road, escorted by members of the N.J. State Police, to serve a search warrant and to seize records on Nov. 3, members of the Township Committee confirmed on Monday.

Mayor Elias Abilheira said, “There were documents and records requested by the prosecutor’s office. We provided what they requested and will cooperate with any further requests.”

Although investigators seized records from the township administrator’s office, the content of those records has not been released.

“It is inappropriate at this time for the township to give any details, as they could hinder the investigation,” Abilheira said.

The prosecutor’s office told township officials not to discuss the matter until receiving further instructions from the prosecutor.

Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin said on Monday, “Regarding the subject of Millstone Township, I have no comment at this time.”

When asked if the prosecutor’s office raided Millstone Township’s municipal building on Nov. 3, Valentin said, “I am not in a position to comment on that at this time.”

Valentin added, “When I am in a position to comment, I will talk about it.”

He did not give a time frame as to when he thought the prosecutor’s office would be able to publicly address the matter.

The news of the raid got out on Monday morning when resident and Township Committee candidate Frank Cotter sent a press release out regarding the investigation.

Cotter, who was running on the Democratic ticket with Committeeman Bill Nurko, alleged in the release that the prosecutor’s office “served a search warrant on the township administrator [in addition to] serving other subpoenas.”

“The administrator was removed from his office as the search warrant was executed and items were removed,” Cotter said.

When asked for comment on Cotter’s press release, Nurko said, “In regard to Frank’s press release, I can have no comment at this time.”

Referring to the events of Nov. 3, Nurko said, “Certain documents and records have been requested by the prosecutor’s office. They have instructed that we should not give any details, so we won’t.”

Nurko said the Township Committee’s current objective “is to fully cooperate in the investigation and lend any and all assistance requested.”

He said when the committee receives permission from the prosecutor’s office, it will advise the public fully.

“Until that time,” Nurko said, “we are referring all inquiries to the prosecutor.”

Cotter said, “On behalf of all taxpayers in Millstone, I am calling upon the mayor to inform the public about what is going on.”

He said the mayor has been briefed on what happened but is not talking.

With regard to Cotter’s statement, Abilheira said, “It’s very strange that Frank Cotter would send out a press release implying that I know something his running mate doesn’t know. Bill Nurko knows just as much as I do.”

Abilheira said Nurko was among the township officials at the municipal building when the raid took place.