A Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office captain received a 20-day suspension after investigators found she violated political activity policies by running for county sheriff while still employed by the agency.
A captain with the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office was suspended for 20 days following an internal investigation that determined she violated multiple ethics and political activity policies while campaigning for Passaic County sheriff, according to New Jersey Attorney General major discipline records.
Key Points
• Captain Marla Saracino received a 20-day suspension
• Investigators found she violated political activity policies and ethics rules
• The disciplinary action stemmed from her 2024 campaign for Passaic County sheriff
The disciplinary action was disclosed through New Jersey’s annual major discipline reporting system, which requires law enforcement agencies to publicly report suspensions exceeding five days, terminations, and demotions.
According to the report, Captain Marla Saracino remained employed by the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office throughout the disciplinary process and was not terminated or demoted.
Campaign activities cited in investigation
Investigators found Saracino campaigned for and ran in the 2024 Republican primary election for Passaic County sheriff while employed by the prosecutor’s office. After winning the primary, she continued her campaign and ran in the general election.
The disciplinary report states those activities occurred while she remained a member of the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office.
Multiple policy violations sustained
According to the Attorney General’s report, investigators sustained violations of the Attorney General’s Code of Ethics for Prosecutors related to political activity, the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Code of Ethics concerning political activity, and Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office policies and procedures governing political activity.
The report does not provide additional details regarding the investigation beyond the campaign activities cited in the disciplinary findings.
New Jersey’s major discipline reporting program was established under Attorney General Directive 2021-6 as part of a statewide effort to increase transparency surrounding serious disciplinary actions involving law enforcement personnel.
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