Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) announced that a former investigator for the NJ Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO) has been criminally charged for allegedly soliciting and engaging in inappropriate sexual communications with crime victims whose applications for VCCO support he was assigned to investigate. The VCCO, an agency within the Department of Law and Public Safety, provides financial assistance as the payer of last resort to victims of crime to alleviate the economic and emotional burdens of victimization.

Guilherme H. Jamarino, 47, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, was charged by complaint-warrant with second-degree official misconduct in connection with allegations stemming from an OPIA investigation that began with a referral from the VCCO. A pre-indictment conference for Jamarino is scheduled for August 9, 2024, in Superior Court in Essex County.

According to the charges against him, while employed as an investigator with the VCCO in Newark, Jamarino was assigned to handle cases of multiple crime victims seeking financial, housing relocation or other assistance from the VCCO. During this time, Jamarino was subject to the State Uniform Ethics Code, which states that “[n]o State officer or employee … should use or attempt to use his/her official position to secure unwarranted privileges or advantages for him/herself or others.”

Evidence obtained during the OPIA investigation showed that from approximately December 9, 2021 to July 20, 2022, Jamarino used his personal cell phone to communicate via text message and social media apps with at least four victims regarding their VCCO claims. Jamarino allegedly sent messages to the victims which shifted in tone and context from professional in nature to inappropriate and oftentimes sexual and explicit. Several victims reported they were often upset and confused by the communications since Jamarino was their point of contact as the VCCO investigator responsible for supporting their claims process.

Jamarino’s employment with the VCCO ended on Monday, July 25, 2022.

“The mission of the VCCO is to compassionately serve New Jersey crime victims in a manner that is mindful of the trauma they have suffered and their right to be treated with fairness, compassion and respect. The alleged conduct of the defendant made a mockery of that mission,” said Attorney General Platkin. “His alleged misuse of his authority to engage in sexual communications with VCCO victims was a violation of his professional duties and the law and a betrayal of trust those victims placed in him and the VCCO. We intend to hold him fully accountable for his conduct and the immense harm it caused those he had a duty to assist.”

“Let me be clear –the defendant’s alleged conduct in this case is not reflective of dedicated men and women at VCCO,” added Attorney General Platkin. “These alleged actions are antithetical to compassionate trauma-informed service that crime victims receive every day from VCCO.”

“As alleged evidence revealed this defendant exploited his position as a VCCO investigator gaining access –and preying on– vulnerable traumatized crime victims who were well aware sway held over their ability obtaining financial assistance needed moving forward lives,” said Drew Skinner Executive Director OPIA “No one turning government agency help should ever exploited way Public protection demands prosecuting bringing justice anyone engaging kind criminal conduct exactly doing case”

According charges against employed sending numerous inappropriate photographs himself cases assigned For example allegedly sent photo shirtless wearing towel video neck up shower another looking mirror only gripping front groin then message said “send address I’ll come get you” included two heart-eyed emojis additional days followed including read: “send pics pretty lady Full body if any”

It also alleged asking come apartment another city lived drive offered give massage picture undressed woman receiving more than gun range shirtless guns background knowing victim violence reported images fear safety

The criminal charge merely accusation presumed innocent proven guilty second-degree official misconduct carries sentence five ten years prison including mandatory period parole eligibility fine $150000

Deputy Attorneys General Lisa Queen Diana Bibb prosecute case Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Andrew Wellbrock Bureau Chief Jeffrey Manis Executive Director Skinner

If believe victim contact Detective Elizabeth Lansing toll-free Tipline public report corruption AG Anti-Corruption Reward Program offers reward $25000 tips leading conviction involving public corruption

Defense Attorney:

Michael P Koribanics Esq Clifton N.J.