Corrections Officer From Brick Admits Beating Inmate Over Argument

TRENTON, NJ — A New Jersey state corrections officer from Brick Township has pleaded guilty to beating up a prisoner following an argument in 2019, the state Attorney General's office announced Wednesday.

Giuseppe Mandara, 55, of Brick, pleaded guilty Tuesday to third-degree aggravated assault before Superior Court Judge Thomas K. Isenhour in Union County in the assault that happened at the Adult Diagnostic and Treatment Center, Special Treatment Unit, in the Avenel section of Woodbridge on Aug. 23, 2019, authorities said.

The prisoner suffered a fatal stroke several days after the fight, but a state grand jury did not approve homicide charges in connection with the prisoner's death, Attorney General Matthew Platkin said.

Authorities said Mandara beat the man while they were inside the sally port area — a secure entry area — of the West Housing Unit in the special treatment unit. The victim was walking away to his assigned work location when Mandara purposely took off his duty belt, which included keys to the facility and a radio. Mandara then when to the victim to continue and argument he had with the victim, and the argument escalated into a fight.

Mandara and the victim ended up on the ground, and Mandara repeatedly punched the victim while he was on the ground, authorities said.

Mandara admitted to the court that he repeatedly punched the man with the intent to cause him significant bodily injury. He also admitted that his actions were excessive and without justification under the circumstances, authorities said.

Under the terms of a plea agreement reached with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, Mandara agreed to forfeit his public employment and will be barred from any future public office or employment.

Prosecutors will recommend a four-year term in state prison when he is sentenced on Jan. 31, the attorney general's office said.

"Under the Independent Prosecutor Law, my office has the responsibility to investigate and prosecute incidents of death or harm that take place in law enforcement custody. This conviction demonstrates our commitment to ensuring that those in positions of power do not abuse their authority or harm those in their custody," Platkin said. "Those in state custody have rights and are entitled to the protections of the law, and violators will face justice."

"This guilty plea makes clear that we will not ignore or condone abuses of individuals who are in state custody," said Drew Skinner, executive director of OPIA. "The defendant violated the trusted position he held and will be held accountable."