October 30, 2001
Trenton,
NJ — Mercer County Daniel G. Giaquinto announced today that his office has
completed its investigation regarding whether criminal charges against Hamilton
Township Police Chief Richard Taylor are warranted in light of recent
allegations made by a township employee of sexual harassment against him.
Prosecutor
Giaquinto stated that criminal charges against Chief Taylor are not warranted
and referred the matter back to Hamilton Township for administrative review and
any action that the township deems appropriate.
In
a letter sent today to Hamilton Township Mayor Glen Gilmore, Prosecutor
Giaquinto stated the following:
Our
initial, limited investigation into these allegations of sexual harassment
against Chief Taylor is now completed. Based upon the information we have to
date, we have concluded that no criminal prosecution of Chief Taylor is
warranted for any of the allegations made.
However,
if sustained administratively, the allegations made by the complainant raise
issues regarding the possible violation of police department or other township
administrative rules or regulations by Chief Taylor. We believe that Hamilton
Township officials are in a better position to conduct any further investigation
or proceedings regarding those matters and any civil issues that may arise from
the complainant’s allegations.
The
criminal investigation in this matter is now closed.
The investigative file will be made available, upon request, to Mayor
Gilmore for his review to determine whether further administrative action is
warranted.
“Since our file in this matter is now closed, and given the ongoing nature of the township’s administrative review and the potential for administrative proceedings, this office will have no further public comment on this matter,” Prosecutor Giaquinto said.