PRESS RELEASE

For Immediate Release:

April 7, 2005

Contact: (718) 876-6300

District Attorney Donovan Announces Unsealing of 10-Count Indictment Against John T. Gregorio, Jr.; Son of Linden, NJ Mayor

***Gregorio,45, Charged with Kidnapping, Unlawful Imprisonment, Robbery and Menacing***

STATEN ISLAND, NY – Richmond County District Attorney Daniel M. Donovan, Jr. today announced the unsealing of a ten-count indictment against John T. Gregorio, Jr. (DOB: 11/18/1959) of Linden, New Jersey. Gregorio, Jr. is the son of Linden, New Jersey Mayor John T. Gregorio. He was arraigned on the indictment today in Staten Island State Supreme Court, St. George.

The charges against Gregorio relate to a 7/19/04 incident in which he is alleged to have kidnapped, at knifepoint, two Staten Island brothers, Christopher Clemente and Charles Clemente, Jr.

At approximately 8:35 PM on 7/19/04, Gregorio, along with two others who remain unidentified, is alleged to have forced Charles Clemente Jr., into an automobile, at the corner of Sylvia Street and Richmond Avenues in Eltingville, believing him to be his brother Christopher. While confronting Charles Jr., Gregorio allegedly coerced Charles Clemente Jr. to contact his brother. After Christopher was contacted he left his home and he was also allegedly coerced into Gregorio’s vehicle. After Christopher entered the automobile Gregorio is alleged to have threatened both brothers’ lives at knifepoint. The suspects then drove the Clemente brothers throughout the borough until approximately 11:00 PM and are alleged to have removed the victims’ cell phones and taken photos of them with a digital camera. The defendant is alleged to have then dropped the victims the victims off in the vicinity of the Staten Island Mall.

Gregorio faces a maximum of twenty five years in prison if convicted of the top charge of the indictment, Kidnapping in the 2nd Degree.

Assistant District Attorney Mark Palladino will be prosecuting the case under the supervision of Assistant District Attorney Mario Mattei, Chief of the Investigations Bureau. Gregorio is being represented by John M. Murphy, Jr.

The public is reminded than an indictment is merely an accusation, and that a defendant is innocent until proven guilty in a court of law.

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