Mercer Times

Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin announced that a New Jersey Department of Corrections police officer has pleaded guilty to aggravated assault. The officer, Giuseppe Mandara, admitted to attempting to cause significant bodily injury to a resident at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) in Avenel.

Mandara, 55, from Brick, New Jersey, entered his plea on December 3 before Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour in Union County. As part of a plea agreement with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), Mandara will forfeit his public employment and be barred from future public office or employment. Prosecutors are recommending a four-year prison sentence, with sentencing set for January 31, 2025.

“Under the Independent Prosecutor Law, my office has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute incidents of death or harm that take place in law enforcement custody," said Attorney General Platkin. "This conviction demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those in positions of power do not abuse their authority or harm those in their custody."

Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, stated: “This guilty plea makes clear that we will not ignore or condone abuses of individuals who are in state custody.”

The incident occurred on August 23, 2019. According to court documents and Mandara’s own admissions, he assaulted the victim inside the sally port area of the West Housing Unit at ADTC after removing his duty belt and engaging in a physical altercation. The victim later suffered a fatal stroke days after the incident.

Deputy Attorneys General Amy Knutsen and Peter Choy prosecuted the case under Skinner's supervision.

Mandara was represented by defense attorney Stuart Alterman.