Runnemede police chief suspended
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Runnemede police chief James M. Leason was suspended without pay after his
arrest on solicitation of prostitution charges.
Wednesday, January 28, 2004
By JASON NARK
Courier-Post Staff
RUNNEMEDE
Borough officials suspended police chief James M. Leason without pay
Tuesday, one day after the 31-year department veteran was arrested at what
authorities said was a Burlington County brothel.
"The mayor and council are shocked and deeply disappointed by Chief
Leason's arrest," borough solicitor Michael P. Albana said in a written
statement. "However, the safety of the residents will not be affected by
this incident."
Lt. Mark Diano, 51, who is in his 28th year in law enforcement, was named
acting chief.
Leason, 56, of Washington Township, was one of six people arrested Monday
at what authorities described as a house of prostitution at the Arbors
Apartments in Maple Shade.
He was charged with promoting prostitution and misconduct in office and
released on $5,000 bail. If convicted, he could face 15 years in prison
and $165,000 in fines.
Taped conversations between Leason and an informant "strongly support the
charges," said Burlington County Prosecutor Robert Bernardi.
"It's disappointing when any cop is arrested for violating the law because
it gives them all a black eye, but I would ask the public not to judge all
law enforcement by this," he said.
Mayor Frank C. Hartman could not be reached for comment.
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Friends stepped up Tuesday to speak on Leason's behalf.
In Washington Township, resident Charles Donato, who said he's been
friends with Leason for 20 years, said there's more to the story than what
has been reported.
"It sounds like he was set up to me," said Donato, whose daughters are
close friends with Leason's daughters. "Jimmy's a good man and a good father."
Donato said Leason was too upset to comment Tuesday on the charges. "He's
really shaken up," Donato said.
Jacqui Lauletta, a former neighbor of Leason, said she was surprised by
the charges.
"He's just a nice guy," she said. "If you ever had a problem, all you had
to do was call Jim and he would give you advice."
But Tuesday's suspension was not the first time Leason, who joined the
force on Nov. 26, 1973, has faced disciplinary action.
In January 1984, Leason was suspended for one year after being found
guilty of fixing a traffic ticket. He was demoted from sergeant to
patrolman and ordered to serve one year of community service by working as
a patrolman without pay.
On Jan. 1, 1987, he was appointed chief.
He also has served as president of the Camden County Police Chiefs
Association.
On Tuesday morning, maintenance workers at the Arbors Apartments were
boarding the door to Apartment 105 in the Cedar building. The door had
been severely damaged when authorities converged there Monday.
Authorities say the apartment had been under surveillance for prostitution
since July. The investigation revealed that Leason "had frequented the
establishment on prior occasions," officials said.
On Monday, Leason returned to meet a particular employee to have sex,
Burlington County Prosecutor Robert D. Bernardi said Monday. That employee
was not there, but Leason "engaged in various sex acts with another woman
there," Bernardi said.
At a nearby apartment, Brian Santiago said customers sometimes knocked on
his door by mistake.
"There was always a lot of people coming and going - at least 10 a day,"
said Santiago, 14, who has lived at the apartment for two years with his
family. "I've always heard about things going on there, but I didn't know
what was going on."
In Runnemede, residents and business owners were surprised by what
happened, but generally were sympathetic.
"I've known him for years and I never had a problem with him," said Joe
Hushue, a 43-year-old cook at Marino's Pizza, just a block from the police
station.
"I think what you do on your own time is your own business. It wasn't like
he was running the place," Hushue added.
Owner Joe Marino said the town would be shocked at the news.
"But they'll get over it," said Marino, whose shop has been in operation
for 30 years. "His wife is the only one who has to forgive him."
Resident Antoinette Velez said Leason should be treated the same as anyone
else accused of the same crime.
"If they don't allow everyday people to do it, he shouldn't be able to do
it either," said Velez, 23, of the Regent Court Apartments. "He should be
liable just like anyone else would."
Robert Del Sordo, a former municipal judge in the borough, said residents
shouldn't condemn Leason until he receives a trial.
"I've known Jimmy for 30 years and he is entitled to the benefit of the
legal system. He should not be prejudged by the media," said Del Sordo.
"He has been a good friend of the community."
Oaklyn Police Chief Chris Ferrari, current president of the county police
chiefs association, said officers on and off duty are held to a much
higher standard than the public.
"It's unfortunate when one police officer does something improper or
illegal, we all get painted with a broad brush. We all are under severe
scrutiny every day. We all work in a fishbowl and everyone's watching us
constantly," Ferrari said.
"I've known him for 15 years. To my knowledge he's never done anything
inappropriate or improper."
The five other people arrested, all on charges of promoting prostitution,
include a woman authorities called the "madam" of the operation - Dolores
Crozier, 66, also known as Dee Conroy.
Authorities said two female employees - Kimberly Lee LaCrosse, 37, of
Tamaqua, Pa., and Veronica Farias, 21, of New York City - also were arrested.
Bail was set Tuesday for the two women.
Superior Court Judge Thomas Smith set bail at $2,500 for Farias. Smith
said Farias is an Argentine national on a student visa. She told the judge
her visa is still valid and that she intends to apply for legal
representation by a public defender.
Smith set bail at $1,000 for LaCrosse. She said she is married and has a son.
Also arrested, authorities said, were two patrons - Oresta Delia, 48, of
Voorhees, and Gerald Creitz, 40, of Collingswood.
Conviction on a charge of promoting prostitution is punishable by a
five-year prison sentence and $15,000 fine.