It was not a good afternoon at West New York Police headquarters. According to Hudson County Prosecutor Esther Suarez, a West New York Police Captain has been charged by members of the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Units following an investigation into funds reported missing by the West New York Youth Police Academy, Inc.
49-year old Captain Erwin Moreno is charged with one count of theft, a crime of the third degree. According to Prosecutor Suarez, Moreno was served his complaint summons at the West New York Police Department and released pending his first court appearance, which is tentatively scheduled for Thursday, June 29, 2023.
In a statement, Suarez said, “The investigation found Moreno misused over $60,000 of the organization’s funds for personal benefit between 2016 and 2023. The West New York Youth Police Academy, Inc. is a 501(c)(3) in which Moreno served as president.”
“The West New York Police Department has cooperated fully in the investigation and will continue to do so,” said Deputy Chief Santiago Cabrera. “We will continue acting to ensure that the West New York Police Department maintains the highest level of integrity and always remains committed to upholding both the law and the public trust.”
Earlier today Mayor Albio Sires told Hudson TV he was aware of a pending action by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office, but was not prepared to comment at this time.
Prosecutor Suarez credited the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office Internal Affairs Unit and the West New York Police Department Internal Affairs Unit with the investigation and arrest.
The above charges are merely accusations and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.