NJ Officer, Sister Allegedly Lied To Investigators

HACKENSACK, N.J. (AP) -- Authorities say a northern New Jersey police officer and his sister gave investigators false information about an alleged assault in an attempt to protect another officer accused of beating a suspect.

Charges of hindering apprehension, retaliating against a witness and providing false information to law enforcement to incriminate another were filed Friday against 27-year-old Hackensack officer Richard Sellitto and his 25-year-old sister, Dana Sellitto, both of Maywood.

Prosecutors say the pair claimed a man injured during a police interrogation was part of a group that assaulted them outside a Paramus restaurant in June. But it was later determined that the man wasn't at the scene of the assault.

Richard Sellitto was suspended without pay after being charged. It wasn't known Saturday if he or his sister had retained an attorney.

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