Community Corner

Moriarty DWI Hearing Set for Aug. 21

Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty is scheduled to appear in Bridgeton Municipal Court on Tuesday, Aug. 21.

His case transferred from Washington Township to Bridgeton earlier this week, Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty now knows when he's to appear in court following his arrest last week on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

The hearing has been scheduled for Tuesday, Aug. 21, according to Bridgeton Municipal Court Administrator Marie Wells. The session during which Moriarty is to appear is scheduled to begin at 1 p.m.

Moriarty, 55, was arrested on the Black Horse Pike, in the Turnersville section of his hometown of Washington Township, Gloucester County, on July 31. The lawmaker has labeled Officer Joseph Dibuonaventura's decision to arrest him as an "abuse of power," and has denied having consumed any alcholic beverages prior to the traffic stop.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

Moriarty was initially scheduled to appear in court on Wednesday. The case was transferred to Bridgeton Municipal Court earlier this week, though, to avoid the possibility of conflicts of interest.

Moriarty served as mayor of Washington Township from 2004 through 2008. Washington Township falls in the Fourth Legislative District, which Moriarty represents in the Assembly, while Bridgeton does not.

Find out what's happening in Gloucester Townshipwith free, real-time updates from Patch.

In addition to DWI, Moriarty was charged with refusing to submit to blood-alcohol content testing and failing to maintain lane.

While it is possible the trial will be delayed, Moriarty was scheduled to appear Aug. 21, as of Thursday afternoon at 4 p.m.

Without naming the arresting officer, Moriarty noted in a statement that Dibuonaventura previously had been fired from Washington Township Police Department for allegedly lying during an Internal Affairs investigation.

Washington Township Police Chief Rafael Muniz acknowledged the accusations Moriarty made in his personal statement, and indicated that "all complaints made will be fully investigated as required by the New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines."


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