Officer Accused of Knowingly Making False Statements

FLEMINGTON

Another officer in the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Department has been accused of misconduct by the state, according to authorities.

Investigator John A. Falat Jr., 36, of Bayonne was charged Tuesday, July 29, with "knowingly making false statements" by "providing false, inaccurate, or incomplete answers" to questions on his employment application with the Hunterdon County Sheriff's Office, according to a summons complaint acquired from the Hunterdon County Prosecutor's Office.

Prosecutor's Office Deputy Chief Dan Hurley said Falat was released on his own recognizance after his arrest.

"We are not commenting on the matter," Hurley said.

"We are in the dark on it," said Undersheriff Michael Russo, who noted that he was authorized to speak on behalf of Sheriff Deborah Trout. "We honored a subpoena from the prosecutor's office."

Russo said the sheriff's office had reviewed Falat's records, and that the summons was "a complete surprise" to them.

"We have no idea what it's about, he's still on the job," Russo said. "The sheriff stands behind investigator Falat."

Falat did not immediately return a call seeking comment.

In addition to Falat, sheriff's investigator Gregory Ezekian Jr., 32, also has been accused of making false statements on his employment application for the department.