Crime & Safety

Grand Jury Votes Not to Indict Former Long Branch Superintendent

Joseph Ferraina was accused in 2011 of sexually harassing a former Long Branch School District employee.

By Christopher Sheldon

A grand jury opted not to indict former Long Branch School District Superintendent Joseph Ferraina on criminal charges, which stemmed from a civil lawsuit brought by a former employee alleging several sexual offenses.

Monmouth County Prosecutor's Office Public Information Officer Charles Webster said the decision was made on Friday, June 14.

Webster said he could not comment further on the decision or the nature of the charges the grand jury was considering as such testimony is sealed and not available to the public.

Ferraina's former secretary, Adele Russo, sued Ferraina and the Long Branch Board of Education in 2011, alleging several sexual offenses.

In the lawsuit, the Russo claims these sexually harassed her on multiple occasions in Ferraina's office during work hours. She said the first offense occurred in 2004 when Ferraina allegedly forced his way into the employee's apartment.

The complaint states that the employee had a "complete breakdown resulting from the actions of Ferraina," on May 17, 2010, and has been unable to work since.

The employee is seeking an unspecified amount of damages, claiming she suffered while working in a "hostile work environment created by Ferraina and the school board."

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The suit alleged six counts of misconduct by Ferraina: hostile work environment, quid pro quo sexual harassment, constructive discharge, intentional infliction of emotional distress, assault and retaliation. 

Ferraina denied the allegations, telling Patch in 2011, "I intend to defend myself vigorously against this unfounded accusation which was made in a press release in a civil suit in an effort to cause me personal harm and extract money."

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The attorneys for both Russo and Ferraina and board of education were not immediately available to comment on the grand jury's decision and the status of the civil lawsuit. 


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