Elizabeth Landlord Indicted

42 COUNT INDICTMENT CHARGING SEX OFFENSES RETURNED AGAINST ELIZABETH NEW JERSEY LANDLORD

     " Joseph Centanni Has Been Indicted On 23 Counts Of Second Degree Sexual Assault & 19 Counts of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact."

December 22, 2022, 1:16 A.M. ET By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

ELIZABETH, NJ.- The owner of Hundreds of Rental Units scattered throughout Eighteen Properties within The City of Elizabeth that Prayed upon people's Misfortunes and Financial Hardships for his own Sexual Satisfaction has been formally Charged in a 42-Count Indictment.

     On Wednesday, December 21, 2022, Union County Prosecutor William A. Daniel, Elizabeth Police Director Earl Graves, and Elizabeth Police Chief Giacomo Sacca jointly announced that last Thursday, a Grand Jury sitting in Union County, New Jersey returned an Indictment against Elizabeth Landlord Joseph Centanni who was originally Arrested in June of 2021 for committing Sexual Offenses upon 30 Tenants during the course of 7 Years.

     The Grand Jury returned the Indictment, Charging Joseph Centanni, 75, of Mountainside, New Jersey with Twenty Three Counts of Second Degree Sexual Assault; and Nineteen Counts of Fourth Degree Criminal Sexual Contact. The Alleged Crimes took place at various times from 2013 through 2020, upon both Male and Female Victims ranging in age from 22 to 61.

     Following a long term investigation initiated by a referral from The Elizabeth Police Department and led by Members of The Union County Prosecutor's Office Special Victims Unit, determined that Mr. Centanni targeted Tenants or Prospective Tenants who were Homeless, about to be Evicted, or who otherwise were Struggling Financially, according to Union County Authorities.

     Mr. Centanni allegedly Solicited Sexual Acts from his Victims as a Quid Pro Quo, agreeing to offer them Rent Reductions, a Delay in Eviction Proceedings, or other forms of Financial Assistance in Exchange. Centanni also Threatened Tenants who hesitated or refused his advances with Eviction or Various other Retaliatory Measures.

     Due to the Nature of the Charges, the Number of Victims, and the Time Span that the Alleged Offenses took place, if Convicted Mr. Centanni faces the Potential of Spending the rest of his Life in New Jersey State Prison.

" The Rules Of The Court Require Us To Include A Statement, That States: The Charges Outlined In This Publication Are Merely Accusations And The Defendant And Or Defendants Are Presumed Innocent Unless And Until Proven Guilty Beyond Reasonable Doubt."

FILED UNDER DECEMBER 22, 2022: LAW, UNION: