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Subscribe to RSSNew Jersey troopers are being investigated after allegedly escorting exotic sports cars at high speeds on a highway. WNBC's Brian Thompson reports.
Two New Jersey state troopers were charged Friday in connection with a high-speed escort of luxury sports cars down the Garden State Parkway, state officials said.
Sgt. 1st Class Nadir Nassry, a 25-year-veteran of the State Police, and trooper Joseph Ventrella, 28, were suspended without pay in April over the March incident, one in a series of high-speed escorts that came under scrutiny.
The Garden State Parkway caravan made national headlines after one motorist who passed by the Lamborghinis, Ferraris and other exotic cars described it as "Death Race 2012."
No one was hurt and there were no accidents as the convoy drove from northern Jersey to Atlantic City. Video of the incident by a construction worker appeared to show that some of the vehicles had tape over their license plates.
See the original story at NBCNewYork.com
On Friday, Nassry was charged with tampering with public records or information and falsifying or tampering with records, according to the state attorney general's office. Ventrella was charged with a single count of falsifying or tampering with records. The charges stem from allegations that the officers altered their license plates by using black electrical tape to change the numbers.
Nassryalso allegedly instructed the other drivers in the caravan to conceal or partially conceal their plates using tapes or other means.
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“What they did was absolutely wrong,” New Jersey Attorney General Jeffrey Chiesa said at a Trenton news conference where the charges were announced, the Star-Ledger of Newark reported.
Nassry, an assistant station commander, on Thursday took full responsibility for the March escort and submitted his retirement papers. He also asked for leniency for Ventrella, who he said was simply following orders and has been on the force only six years.
The sergeant agreed to participate in the escort because of his friendship with Brandon Jacobs, a former member of the New York Giants, now with the San Francisco 49ers, who was part of the caravan, said Nassry's attorney, Charles Sciarra.
The escorted motorists, members of the Driving Force Club, have not been accused of any wrongdoing.
The investigation into the escorts also led to a major shake-up of state police brass, with the reassignment of 10 state police commanders.
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Chiesa and the state police superintendent, Col. Rick Fuentes, on Friday also unveiled a new policy governing state police escorts that is intended to more sharply define accountability for troopers involved in those kinds of events, set forth a clear chain of command for approvals and enhance the safety of other motorists, the Star-Ledger reported.
The State Police have filed administrative disciplinary charges against two troopers who escorted a similar caravan on June 27, 2010, the Star-Ledger reported. The charges allege improper conduct and unsafe driving. In addition, the state police filed disciplinary charges against two supervisors for alleged improper supervision.
Chiesa and Fuentes also announced disciplinary charges against a trooper who allegedly mishandled a speeding ticket issued in 2010 to the owner of a yellow Lamborghini who was stopped for going 116 mph in a 65 mph zone on the Parkway, the Star-Ledger reported. A photograph of driver Joseph Srour, holding the ticket and smiling, was posted on the Driving Force Club website, the paper reported.
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I think that the owners and specifically the drivers should be prosecuted as well. Just yesterday I heard an radio show giving away a 72 decked out Chevy Nova that would do 0 to 100 in 10 seconds. I thought, damn I would love that car, but where could I drive it legally and have fun while not breaking any laws. But if I got pulled over for doing 100 mph let alone the fastest that this car could go they would throw the book at me. So turn about is fair play - throw the book at the officer, but I do believe taking his pension is too heavy. He should not even lose his job of have to retire. But, he should get the same penalty plus a little more for assistance!
These officers willfully endangered the lives of every other driver on the parkway that day. They got lucky in that their stupid stunt did result in any accidents, but accidents with cars going in excess of 100mph are frequently, if not always fatal. They very easily could have gotten someone killed through their actions. The fact that they did this under "color of authority" as police officers makes it that much worse. The real crime would be to allow this idiot to simply retire with his pension intact. I do not know if he should lose his entire pension for one stupid move, but I think they should take a sizable chunk of it away from him to send the message that this type of behavior will not be tolerated. These officers should be charged with reckless endangerment and have their drivers licenses suspended in addition to the charges they are facing. Any other driver who was caught driving at those speeds would have lost their license and these officers should be treated no differently. Their excessive speed had nothing to do with the performance of legitimate police duties and they should therefor be charged with the same traffic offense that any other driver would face.
I am Pigotry, Hi!
These cops are supposed to be representatives of the LAW. No retirement, no pension, no leniency -- and definitely no compassion. Both of them deserve far more than any average citizen would get for the same crime(s).
A question which no one has asked or brought up, was this authorized and approved by someone higher up in the police force? These officers and the drivers of those cars broke the law, but where these officer told to do this by their higher ups? It seems unlikely that they would have done this car escorting thing on their own just for the fun of it without being assigned the task.
The troopers are lucky they only wound up with egg on their face, not blood on their hands.
On the surface, it may not appear what they did to be that big of a deal.
But because law enforcement has the legal power of deciding life or death, they need to be held to a much higher standard than the average citizen. More and more, all across the country, we're learning just how prevalent law enforcement is abusing their power. When will enough be enough and we begin sending the message that corrupt, above the law behavior will no longer be tolerated? Allowing the one to just retire will a full pension and a possible slap on the wrist is not enough.
Seeming to be somewhat starstruck with his football player friend, what other illegal favors and illegal acts have been committed throughout his 20 year employment, and just not have been caught? When you see one cockroach, there's usually 100's you don't see.
Rich guys in fast cars being escorted by the strong arm of the law. These must be "Job Creators" and they were in the middle of creating jobs and had to get there in a hurry.
your kidding right the cops just ignored their jobs for rich people and u think they should keep the tax payers pensions for ignoring their jobs and their legal binding oaths The rich peopel need teh cars impounding and sold the police need to lose jobs and face jail time and no pentions for peopel who act above the laws they enforce and the rich peopel should go to jail on bribery charges
Two New Jersey state troopers were charged Friday in connection with a high-speed escort of luxury sports cars down the Garden State Parkway, state officials said.
Another example of the rich corrupting officials to satisfy their vanity.
Imagine that, cops and rich jocks assuming they are above the law. I'm shocked, shocked I say!!!
I just looked at the calender.....it's almost August, and this took place in March? Must be someone, somewhere is refusing to be quiet about this incident. Normally this wouldn't even be a memory at this this stage in the game.
Johnny, the media is trying to keep this one going. Anything to get people riled up, like the law breaking the law.
This is exactly the type of incident the media should perpetuate.
Lol, joemike404: sarcasm perfected!
Looked like all of them were speeding through a work zone, does that not deserve a huge fine?
Yeah, double of nothing is still squat.
They are in did breaking the law... not to mention double fine on WORK ZONE! They should all be prosecuted for this.. endangering peoples lives....!!!
500.00 min. in IL, and a mandatory trip before the judge. Doing over double in a work zone is tantamount to saying bye-bye to your license for ???? What IF some worker or slow driver got hit?
It was OK, The cop told me so?
What a waste of seniority by doing something stupid!
The cops should be locked up! That's what would happen to anyone else. Strip them of EVERYTHING and throw them in jail.
You meant their pants, too?
And MONEY can buy anything except "sense and the regard for your fellow man"!
All of the drivers (including the NJSP), if they can be identified, should have their License revoked immediately!
Just because you are rich enough, or think you are rich enough, to do it DOES NOT MEAN IT IS OK TO DO IT!!!!
Get your priorities straight or find a driver!
.
Both Troopers should be charged criminally and fired, period. They are a embarrassment to law enforcement.
Of course the only difference between highway troopers and a cockroach is the trooper's vehicles have more antennas!
I hope this doesn't have any affect on Christie speeding in a helicopter!
What, are you kidding me? With him in it it has a tough time just getting off the ground. Add his doughnut supply and, well, there go the taxpayers dollars. Where should Trenton cut the budget, or the pork? The first Christie was much better looking, not too much of a better governor, but a damn sight better looking. Hey, seriously now, I have a few friends and acquaintances that are retired N.J. Troopers. They wouldn't have done something like this. It's nice to see that Nassry finally manned up and accepted responsibility for his bone headed decision. I guess he got carried away with his rank and position, and making friends with the rich and famous a$$holes and oh well. Ya dumb sh!t!!!! What a maroon.
Ok, the cops were stupid. Why isn't the court going after the spoiled idiots that were driving like they own the road. Oh yea, I forgot, they already paid for it. Cops just didn't pass the money along. Revoke their drivers license and impound/sell the car and fine their rich ass.
Goddam cops are all alike. They're just a different breed of criminal.
So call a member of ms13, or la eme' or the bloods or crips when someone(probably them) rips you off or assaults you. If you really think that all cops are bad, then you're either a gang-banger or in dire need of an education. Police are people, just like you and those like you. There are good ones and bad ones. So, which group do you belong to? One of the aforementioned or the trolls?
ps; I like your handle, only because I worked for the real GE for 38 years, and can appreciate a good play on words. Have a good weekend.
um...no they aren't.
"The escorted motorists, members of the Driving Force Club, have not been accused of any wrongdoing."
OH, so I can now speed down the GSP without any fear of arrest! LOL
Then the cops wonder why they are despised. They, not all, but the ones that do make the entire police look bad everywhere.
Why charge them. All they are going to get is a slap on the back of the hand.
All cops are above the law even in my good old state of Maryland.
Maryland is ran by none other then Gov. Omoney .
I'm assuming these cops were paid to do this. If so, why aren't they being charged with graft?
Sounds more like "micro-management" by fat-boy Christie. He's as bad as our Communist/Socialist Muslem queer loving President. In those infamous words......"...can't we all get along..."
When you say queer are you looking in the Mirror, because it seems to fit you really good. Sh-t even your name says it.
freddy...loser...
This goes right to the heart of what it means to be rich. I mean, what good is money if you can't buy things that ordinary people can't have? Being rich is supposed to mean that you can live life in a plane above ordinary people and not be bound by their rules ... doesn't it?
Think about it. Why does the 1% lie, cheat, and steal to get all that money? What does being rich actually mean?
Driving on the GS Parkway to Atlantic City is fun, I understand the enticement to floor it, however what these guys did was very inconsiderate of others. Thank god no one was hurt.
only the hard working, poor soul's get ticketed, the rest get away with murder !!!
Just the unlucky ones ------ the key is; don't get caught!
Just like a cop, above the law. why don't we make an example of them?
Wow! I can not imagine cops hiding behind their badges to do what ever the hell they want. Yea right!
Today's cops think laws are only for non-law enforcement people. They even call us civilians. This is how fascism begins. Many cops think nothing of crossing the line between legal and illegal today. One of the many signs that the U.S. is sliding into third world status.
What these cops did was wrong and one will pay more than he should for obeying orders of a superior.
@JCC no this is not how Fascism or even nazism began. I suggest you study your history a lot closer.
6dogs, it is you who needs the history lesson. Look up Italy: pre-Mussolini. You can't control a country without controlling law enforcement and the military, which in many countries is one and the same.
BTW, 6dogs, I've lived in many third world countries. Have you?
JCC@FL: Where I live in FL . If you see a car traveling 15 miles over the speed limit.
There's a good chance it has a PBA shield on the license plate.
It has one use, and only one use. A get out of ticket product. But the state allows it. Go figure.
These guys were simply doing the same thing.
And your spot on in the history. As manufacturing dies, unemployment rises , we'll find ourselves more in a police state.
China will never be the US. But we are moving towards China.
Scar, where I live, in Florida, chances are the car traveling 15 mph over is a cop car. If you follow them you will see they are not responding to an emergency, or any call at all. They are either headed for the coop or the restaurant.
I wonder if these people are the same bunch that were racing up Route 17 in NY on their way to rally in Sullivan County race course back in November 2010? It sounds like the same bunch of cars that were reported about, driving like maniacs on a public highway. Ferraris, Lamborghinis, Porshes, Vipers, Corvettes, ect. and cars like them, more than 100 cars, according to reports.
To protect and serve I think is the Motto. But a slap on the hand is all they will get, after all they are police officers. But what if some innocent motorist had gotten killed in an accident??
well they would just lie like they do when they kill innocent people
Disgusting use of power that wasn't yours. Publish the names of all the drivers.
Just a question but where are the Censors on this feed that are supposed to stop Racist and Homophobic rants?
It really doesn't matter whether you are a Republican or a Democrat, spewing hatred towards OUR President and any person of any Race is unacceptable!
The NJSP were wrong! Suspend or fire them. No questions asked.
BUT.....Is the GOP going to make a .........................never mind. You ALL get the point!
Such wonderful role models for our youth...