61-Year-Old West Long Branch Firefighter Charged With Creating False Training Certificates
Wednesday, July 3, 2024, 8:30 A.M. ET. 2 Minute Read, By Art Fletcher: Englebrook Independent News,
WEST LONG BRANCH, NJ.- On Monday, a 61-year-old West Long Branch firefighter was taken into custody and released on a summons after being formally charged in connection with the falsification and destruction of official public records.
According to Monmouth County Prosecutor Raymond S. Santiago, on Monday, July 1, 2024, Ronald Guidetti, 61, of Long Branch, New Jersey was formally charged with one count of third-degree False Uttering; third-degree Forgery; and fourth-degree Falsifying or Tampering with Records.
Following surrendering to Monmouth County Authorities, Guidetti was processed on the charges and was released on a summons complaint pending future court proceedings in Monmouth County Superior Court in Freehold, New Jersey.
The charges stem from an investigation that was initiated earlier this year by the Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office. When there were concerns raised regarding the validity of two training certificates for a single firefighter at the West Long Branch Fire Company No. 2.
During the investigation, Detectives determined that not only did Guidetti create the certificates in order to achieve a response to an Open Public Records Act request filed with the Fire Company, but Guidetti then removed the certificates from the filing system and destroyed them once the request was fulfilled.
"The rules of the court requires 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: JULY 3, 2024: LAW, LOCAL, MONMOUTH: