By: Richard L. Smith
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) have announced criminal charges against a former investigator for the NJ Victims of Crime Compensation Office (VCCO).
The investigator, who served in Newark, allegedly engaged in inappropriate sexual communications with crime victims he was assigned to assist.
Guilherme H. Jamarino, 47, of Point Pleasant, New Jersey, faces second-degree official misconduct charges.
These charges follow an OPIA investigation that began with a referral from the VCCO. Jamarino's pre-indictment conference is scheduled for August 9, 2024, in Superior Court in Essex County.
During his tenure at VCCO, Jamarino was responsible for handling cases of multiple crime victims seeking financial or housing assistance.
Despite being bound by the State Uniform Ethics Code, Jamarino allegedly used his position to secure unwarranted privileges. Evidence from the investigation revealed that between December 9, 2021, and July 20, 2022, Jamarino used his personal cell phone to send inappropriate and explicit messages to at least four victims.
The investigation uncovered that Jamarino sent numerous inappropriate photographs of himself to these victims, including shirtless photos and explicit messages.
He also made unsolicited offers to visit the victims’ homes and sent images that made some victims fear for their safety, particularly given their vulnerable positions as crime victims.
Attorney General Platkin condemned Jamarino's actions, stating, "The alleged conduct of the defendant made a mockery of the VCCO’s mission to compassionately serve New Jersey crime victims. His misuse of authority to engage in sexual communications with VCCO victims was a violation of his professional duties and the law, and a betrayal of the trust those victims placed in him and the VCCO."
Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, added, "As alleged, the evidence revealed that this defendant exploited his position to prey on vulnerable and traumatized crime victims.
Public protection demands that we prosecute and bring to justice anyone who engages in this kind of criminal conduct, and that is exactly what we are doing in this case."
Jamarino's employment with the VCCO ended on July 25, 2022.
The criminal charge against him is merely an accusation, and he is presumed innocent until proven guilty. If convicted, Jamarino could face a sentence of five to 10 years in prison, including a mandatory period of five years of parole ineligibility, and a fine of up to $150,000.
This case stresses the importance of ethical conduct and the severe consequences of abusing positions of trust within government agencies.