Police Release Details on Moriarty DWI Arrest

Washington Township Police Department on Wednesday issued a brief press release detailing the arrest of Assemblyman Paul D. Moriarty Tuesday afternoon on suspicion of driving while intoxicated.

Officer Joseph Dibuonaventura stopped Moriarty at 3:53 p.m. at 5651 Black Horse Pike, in Washington Township's Turnersville section.

Moriarty indicated in a statement he issued Tuesday night around 9:40 that Dibuonaventura accused him of cutting off the officer's police cruiser in an intersection.

During the traffic stop, Moriarty was placed under arrest on the charge of driving while intoxicated. He subsequently refused a blood-alcohol content test at the police station.

In addition to the DWI charge, Dibuonaventura cited Moriarty for refusal to submit to blood-alcohol content testing and failure to maintain lane.

Moriarty, 55, was released pending an Aug. 8 court appearance.

Moriarty alleged in his statement Tuesday night that he was arrested after disputing the police officer's claim that he had cut off him off. He also denied that he had consumed any alcoholic beverages prior to his arrest.

"I disputed his assertion which led him to order me from my car, submit me to a field sobriety test and issue a summons for DUI," the statement reads.

Moriarty called his arrest an "abuse of power," and vowed to fight the charge.

In the Washington Township Police Department press release issued at 1:20 p.m. Wednesday, Chief Rafael Muniz acknowledged the accusations Moriarty made in his statement, and indicated that "all complaints made will be fully investigated as required by the New Jersey Attorney General Guidelines."

Moriarty's vehicle, which police did not describe in the press release, had license plates affixed to it indicating it belonged to an Assembly member.

The penalties for a conviction on the charge of refusing a breath test include fines of $300 to $500 and driver's license suspension of seven to 12 months.