Newark – Acting Essex County Prosecutor Robert D. Laurino announced today that Newark Police Captain Anthony Buono, 62, of Millstone pled guilty to one count of computer theft today before the Honorable Michael L. Ravin, Judge of the Superior Court.
In 2015, Buono and former Newark police officer Dino D’Elia, 52, of Newark were charged with two counts of computer theft and one count of conspiracy for illegally accessing a private database made available to police agencies to investigate insurance fraud.
Buono gained access to the database and D’Elia would later sell the information taken from the database to third parties for as much as $100 per search.
The illegal breach was discovered in 2014, prompting an investigation by the Newark Police Department’s Internal Affairs Unit and the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office.
The Buono accessed the databased on more than 900 occasions. D’Elia sold the information through his private investigation business.
Today Buono admitted his role in the illegal scheme. Under the terms of a plea agreement he is expected to be sentenced to a non-custodial prison term. However, he must forfeiture his job as a police captain and all future public employment.
Sentencing for Buono is scheduled for Jan. 8, 2018 before Judge Ravin.
D’Elia pled guilty in April. He is scheduled to be sentenced on Dec. 1, before Judge Ravin.