Democratic Party Leader Indicted

SAYREVILLE DEMOCRATIC PARTY LEADER AND FAMILY MEMBERS INDICTED IN INFLUENCE SCHEME

     " Thomas V. Pollando, His Son & Daughter-In-Law Indicted In Influence Peddling Scheme."

Friday, March 31, 2023, 5:35 A.M. ET. By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,

NEW BRUNSWICK, NJ.- Middlesex County Prosecutor Yolanda Ciccone reported that on Thursday, March 30, 2023, a Grand Jury sitting in Middlesex County, New Jersey, Returned an Indictment against Former Sayreville Borough Democratic Chairman, along with his Son and Daughter-In-Law.

     On Thursday, Following the Presentation of Evidence by The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office, The Grand Jury Returned a Fourteen-Count Indictment Charging Thomas V. Pollando, 73, David Pollando, 42, and Lizmarie Pollando, 29, all of Sayreville, New Jersey, with Various Offenses. 

     Thomas V. Pollando was Charged with Three Counts of Second Degree Bribery; Second Degree Acceptance of an Unlawful Benefit by a Public Official; Third Degree Hindering Apprehension or Prosecution; Fourth Degree Theft by Deception; Fourth Degree Falsifying Public Records; and Second Degree Official Misconduct.

     David Pollando was Charged with Second Degree Conspiracy; Second Degree Witness Tampering; Second Degree Retaliation Against a Witness; and Third Degree Terroristic Threats.

     Lizmarie Pollando was Charged with Second Degree Conspiracy; and Third Degree Hindering the Apprehension of Another.

     The Charges are a result of an investigation spanning weeks during the months of July and August 2022. During the investigation, Detectives from The Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office were conducting Electronic Surveillance on a Business in Sayreville, New Jersey. While conducting surveillance, Detectives observed Mr. Pollando accept Several Thousand Dollars in Cash and heard him Claiming that he would attempt to use his Political Clout to Influence an Ongoing Criminal Case. Further investigation into Mr. Pollando uncovered that he directed another Candidate's Campaign Funds for Sayreville Borough Council to be used to Pay for Personal Expenditures. Pollando also directed that Election Records be Falsified to Cover Up that Payment.

     The Counts against David and Lizmarie Pollando stem from an Encounter in November 2022 that occurred in Old Bridge, New Jersey. Where it is alleged that David Pollando Threatened a Witness. The investigation further determined that Lizmarie Pollando alerted her Husband to the Witnesses' Location and then Lied to the Police when questioned about the incident.

" 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 MARCH 31, 2023: LAW, MIDDLESEX: