New Jersey Corrections Officer Indicted for Official Misconduct Following Altercation with Resident

Giuseppe Mandara faces second-degree official misconduct charges related to a 2019 physical altercation at a correctional treatment unit

WOODBRIDGE, NJ - Giuseppe Mandara, a Correctional Police Officer with the New Jersey Department of Corrections, has been indicted on one count of second-degree official misconduct by a state grand jury. The charges stem from an incident on August 23, 2019, at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center (ADTC) Special Treatment Unit (STU) in the Avenel section of Woodbridge.

According to the indictment, Mandara allegedly abandoned his official equipment, including keys and radio, and used excessive or unlawful force against a resident in violation of the Department's policies, procedures, and training for Correctional Police Officers. The resident involved in the altercation suffered a fatal stroke several days later.

Although the grand jury heard testimony from the state medical examiner regarding the cause and manner of death, it declined to initiate homicide charges against any individuals involved. An ongoing investigation into the case is being carried out by the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA).

In compliance with Directive 2019-4, also known as the "Independent Prosecutor Directive," the case was presented to the grand jury. Issued in 2019, this directive requires the Attorney General’s Office to investigate instances of death during an encounter with a law enforcement officer or while a person is in custody. All such investigations must be presented to a grand jury to determine if there is sufficient evidence to support an indictment.

The second-degree official misconduct charge carries a statutory mandatory minimum of five years of parole ineligibility. The charges against Mandara are accusations at this stage, and he is presumed innocent until and until proven guilty in a court of law.

No conflict of interest was found concerning any individual assigned to the investigation, as per the Independent Prosecutor Directive. Further information about how fatal police encounters are investigated in New Jersey under the directive can be found on the Attorney General’s website.