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William E. Cleary Sr. | CNBNews

MOUNT EPHRAIM, NJ ((CNBNEWS)--Mount Ephraim Volunteer Fire Chief Matthew Frankowski was issued a summons on April 13 for simple assault, NJ statute 2C:12-1A, “purposely/knowingly cause bodily harm to another person.” He appeared in the Borough Court today, April 26. According to the court clerk

Fire Chief Frankowski (image courtesy of SJ Observer)

the case was postponed and rescheduled for Wednesday, May 31 at 1 PM.  She said since the defendant is the Borough’s fire chief there is a conflict of interest. "As such the matter will most likely be held in another court."

Frankowski was charged with the same offense on November 1, 2014. He appeared in Mt. Ephraim Court on December  3, 2014, for that summons at which time the case was adjudicated.

On August 13, 2019, the fire chief was charged once again with “purposely/knowingly causing bodily harm to another person.” That matter was heard on January 23, 2019, in the Runnemede court and it to was adjudicated.

Borough Commissioner George Gies, head of Public Safety, was asked if Frankowski would remain as chief under the circumstances.

"As of now, I can't talk about this personnel matter. But I assure you that the Fire department will still be ready to provide the town with the services they expect and are used to,' he said.

Gies said in a July 2022 interview with CNBNews,  "The Fire Department is an independent agency in terms of providing firefighting services and selecting and overseeing its personnel. "As Director of Public Safety, I am the liaison between the fire department and the governing body."  

The crime of simple assault carries a penalty of up to six months in jail and a maximum fine of $1000 for those convicted. Other penalties for this offense include restitution to the victim, probation, and electronic monitoring.

According to the New Jersey case summary (see below) on February 14, 2001, the chief had his driver's LICENSE suspended in Glassboro Municipal Court for OVERNIGHT PARKING. That decision was recalled on April 4, 2001. The statute he was charged with was 115-13. (CNBNews was unable to find any record of that law).

 

Wildwood Police filed a charge against him for OVERTIME METER PARKING on July 12, 2015. It was adjudicated on September 2, 2015.

 

Atlantic City Police charged him on November 17, 2017, with THEFT OF SERVICES-KNOW SERVICES COST MONEY. Supposedly it was disposed of but the case summary gives no date for that action.

 

Haddonfield Police filed two charges against him for Metered Parking violations first, and second offenses on May 11, 2018. Those charges were disposed of on June 12, 2018.

 

Winslow Township Police filed a charge against the volunteer fire chief for exceeding the speed limit by 20-24 MPH on January 14, 2019. It was adjudicated on January 23, 2019.

click the image to enlarge

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