Crime & Safety

Former Middlesex County Sheriff Joe Spicuzzo, 2 Others Indicted on Bribe Conspiracy Charges

All three men face multiple counts

Former Middlesex County sheriff Joseph Spicuzzo, 66, of Helmetta, and two of his underlings, former sheriff's investigator Darrin P. DiBiasi, 43, of Monmouth Junction and suspended sheriff's officer Paul A. Lucarelli, 46, of South River, have all been indicted on charges concerning their roles in 

The three men are facing charges for a conspiracy in which Spicuzzo collected approximately $112,000 in bribes from individuals seeking positions or promotions in the sheriff’s office, according to the state Attorney General's office.

DiBiasi is charged with one count of conspiracy, three counts of official misconduct, and one count of bribery. Lucarelli is facing charges of one count of conspiracy, three counts of official misconduct, and one count of bribery.

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Spicuzzo is facing charges of one count of conspiracy, three counts of official misconduct, one count of pattern of official misconduct, and six counts of bribery.

Spicuzzo is also facing charges of second-degree pattern of official misconduct. All charges carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison, while certain charges against each defendant carry a mandatory minimum term of five years in prison without possibility of parole, according to the Attorney General's office.

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“This indictment demonstrates that nobody is above the law in New Jersey, and those who hold high office will be held accountable if they betray the public’s trust,” said Attorney General Paula Dow via release. “It is an important step in our prosecution of Spicuzzo and his alleged accomplices.”

DiBiasi allegedly collected a $13,000 bribe for Spicuzzo from an individual who was hired as a sheriff’s investigator in early 2005, according to the Attorney General's office. 

“Most members of law enforcement consider their badge and honor sacred, but we allege that Spicuzzo put badges and honor up for sale in the Middlesex County Sheriff’s Office,” said Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor via release. “We allege that this corrupt jobs-for-cash scheme continued for over a decade.”

According to the indictment, between March 1996 and November 2008, Spicuzzo, while serving as county sheriff, had demanded that "eight different individuals pay him bribes in return for him appointing them as new sheriff’s investigators or promoting them within the sheriff’s office."

Young applicants to the sherrif's office who were trying to obtain law enforcement positions as investigators were forced to use "all sources of funding available to them to pay the alleged bribes," according to the Attorney General's office.

“It is always disappointing when we uncover corruption in law enforcement – much more so when it reaches to the very top of an agency,” said State Police Superintendent Colonel Rick Fuentes via release. “Nevertheless, our Official Corruption Bureau remains tireless in their pursuit of illegal activity by those who are supposed to be serving the public.”

Spicuzzo is accused of, directly or indirectly, soliciting and accepting individual bribes that ranged from $5,000 to $25,000 from seven individuals who sought employment as investigators.

DiBiasi allegedly paid a $5,000 bribe prior to being hired in 1999. Spicuzzo also allegedly took two bribes from a sheriff’s officer for $7,000 and $5,000 in exchange for two promotions within the sheriff’s office between 2007 and 2008. The investigation revealed that each person who had paid a bribe was given the promised position, according to the Attorney General's office.

DiBiasi is accused of collecting three bribes from individuals who sought investigator positions. DiBiasi allegedly delivered two separate payments of approximately $12,500 and approximately $10,000 to Spicuzzo between 2002 and 2005. 

Lucarelli is accused of collecting an approximately $25,000 bribe and delivering it to Spicuzzo in 2008 from an individual who sought an investigator position.

Spicuzzo was arrested by State Police detectives on March 7. Lucarelli was arrested on March 14, and DiBiasi was arrested on July 7. All three were released without posting bail.

Spicuzzo was the Middlesex County Sheriff for almost 30 years. Following his arrest, he resigned his position as Middlesex County Democratic Party chairman, which he held for 16 years.

Spicuzzo also resigned from his position as a commissioner on the New Jersey Sports & Exposition Authority, which he served as since December, 2009.

DiBiasi retired from his job as a sheriff’s investigator in June of 2011 year, prior to his arrest in the case. Lucarelli was suspended without pay as a sheriff’s officer following his arrest. 

Under state law, second-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of $150,000. Each defendant could potentially face a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison without parole due to the fact that each is accused, in certain counts of the indictment, of conduct that occurred after April 14, 2007, the effective date for New Jersey’s statutory sentencing enhancements for public corruption.

Related Topics: Joseph Spicuzzo


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