Former Dumont Mayor Charged in Sexual Assault of Minor: A Bergen County Scandal Erupts.
A former Dumont mayor — once a familiar smile at ribbon-cuttings and town parades — is now facing a sexual assault charge involving a minor, igniting a firestorm of outrage across Bergen County and raising urgent questions about trust, power, and who we allow to lead our communities.
Authorities say the allegations are as disturbing as they are explosive. And for a small borough that prides itself on quiet streets, Little League fields, and suburban predictability, this case has slammed the brakes on normalcy and set off a storm of disbelief and fury.
A Small Town Shaken by a Big Accusation
Bergen County prosecutors confirmed that the former mayor was charged following an investigation sparked by a recent disclosure from the minor victim. The details released so far paint a harrowing picture — one that residents say feels like “a betrayal of everything this town stands for.”
According to investigators, the allegations involve inappropriate sexual contact with a minor, and while officials have not yet released specific timelines or locations, they say the victim came forward with credible, corroborated information. Detectives moved quickly, interviewing witnesses and pulling together evidence before filing charges.
In a county more accustomed to headlines about taxes, zoning fights, and commuter complaints, the sudden turn toward a case involving a former elected official has left Dumont residents stunned.
“It's like finding out the foundation of your house is cracked,” one resident told The Garden State Gazette. “You trust these people. You vote for them. You hope they have integrity. Then you get hit with this.”
A Political Career Under a Dark Shadow
The accused former mayor, who once held significant sway over local decisions and community initiatives, now finds his reputation collapsing under the weight of the charge. His attorney has denied wrongdoing, calling the allegation “false” and “politically motivated,” but prosecutors insist the evidence will speak for itself.
This isn’t the first time New Jersey politics has been rocked by scandal — far from it — but the involvement of a minor has placed this case into a far more volatile public space. In a state where residents already side-eye many elected officials, this kind of story hits with intensified skepticism and disgust.
The former mayor’s tenure included traditional small-town accomplishments: infrastructure upgrades, recreation programs, and a publicly visible role during community events. Now, every photo-op and handshake from that era feels tainted for residents trying to reconcile the man they knew with the charges now pinned to his name.
Community Outrage Boils Over
Local parents — furious, heartbroken, and demanding transparency — packed community forums this week, pressing officials for answers and voicing deep frustration.
“Protecting our kids should come before political loyalty,” said another resident who attended an emergency town meeting. “I don’t care what party he belongs to. If he did this, he has to face justice.”
School officials and youth organizations in the borough issued statements assuring families that they are cooperating fully with investigators and reviewing any potential contact the former mayor may have had with local programs during his time in office.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office says there is no evidence at this time of additional victims but stressed that anyone with information should come forward.
Legal Fight Ahead
The former mayor is expected to appear in court in the coming days for his first hearing. Legal experts say the case could become one of the more high-profile criminal proceedings in North Jersey this year, given the defendant’s political background and the nature of the accusation.
Sexual assault charges involving a minor carry severe penalties under New Jersey law, and prosecutors are preparing for what could be a lengthy, emotionally charged legal battle.