New Bergen County Prosecutor Sworn In

Bergen County has a new prosecutor.

Mark Musella, a lifelong Bergen County resident, was sworn in to the position Monday by Super Court Assignment Judge Bonnie Mizdol.

Musella is the chief law enforcement officer of Bergen County. Taking the job is a return to the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office for Musella, who was an assistant prosecutor from 1988 to 1994. He was assistant chief of the trial and grand jury sections.

During his first stint with prosecutor's office, Musella, a Wood-Ridge resident, prosecuted 50 trials and handled hundreds of pleas, sentences, bails, and motions.

Musella has worked as a criminal and civil attorney since 1994. He was the municipal prosecutor for the borough of Hasbrouck Heights and public defender for 12 Bergen County municipalities.

"Mark Musella is an accomplished attorney with an exceptional legal career in Bergen County," said Governor Phil Murphy in a statement. "I am confident that Prosecutor Musella will be a strong leader and enhance the trust between law enforcement and the community to promote a safer Bergen County for all."

Musella is a 1980 graduate of Bergen Catholic High School. He earned a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fordham University in 1984 and earned his law degree from Widener University in Delaware in 1987.

Dennis Calo served as acting prosecutor since January 2018. He was sworn in as first assistant prosecutor. Chief Robert Anzilotti, who was acting chief of detectives, was sworn in as chief of detectives.

Calo rose to the position when former prosecutor Gurbir Grewal was appointed state Attorney General.

"I look forward to working with Prosecutor Musella, and now First Assistant Prosecutor Calo to carry on the tradition of excellence that the people of Bergen County have come to expect from the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office," Grewal said.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com