Daily Voice
By Cecilia Levine From Daily Voice
Dumont's former mayor and Jersey City police sergeant, Andrew LaBruno, has been arrested for juvenile sex assault charges, authorities confirmed.
LaBruno, who earlier this month lost his bid for state assembly, began chatting with the juvenile, a complete stranger, on a social media app and made arrangements to meet, Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella said.
Andrew LaBruno
LaBruno went to the child's home in Englewood while the child was home alone, the prosecutor said. He was subsequently arrested on Monday, Nov. 17 and lodged in the Bergen County Jail.
The 44-year-old married father of two was charged with aggravated sexual assault on a victim helpless or incapacitated, sexual assault by force/coercion, and endangering-sexual conduct with a child.
Charges were filed out of Englewood.
LaBruno became a police officer in Jersey City, his hometown, after attending the John H. Stamler Police Academy in 2005 and later rose to the rank of sergeant, according to his campaign site.
Andrew LaBruno
LaBruno moved to Dumont with his wife in 2009 after the birth of their first child, which is when he became active in youth recreation programs. In 2016, LaBurno founded the Dumont Community Group, a nonprofit that helped revive town events, including the Dumont 5K, Movies in the Park, and a town-wide garage sale.
He was elected to the Borough Council in 2018 and then as Mayor in 2019, serving from January 1, 2020 through December 31, 2023.
A third-generation union member, LaBruno has long been active in organized labor and previously served as President of the Jersey City Police Superior Officers’ Association, according to the campaign website. It adds that he remains committed to working families, fellow first responders, teachers and union members across fields.
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