11-19-04 -- Calandrino, Frank A. -- Indictment -- News Release

Oceanport Man Charged with Obstructing FBI Corruption Probe

NEWARK - An Oceanport man was arrested today on a one-count Indictment charging him with obstructing an investigation being conducted by Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, U.S. Attorney Christopher J. Christie announced.

According to the Indictment, during a May 16, 2003, meeting with another individual, Frank A. Calandrino, 38, informed that individual that he was wearing a recording device. However, the Indictment charges that Calandrino lied to the FBI agents that he had not so informed the other individual.

The Indictment does not describe with which investigation Calandrino was involved, and that is not, at this time, a part of the public record.

Calandrino was arrested early this morning at his home by Special Agents of the FBI. He is scheduled to make an initial appearance today at 2 p.m. before U.S. Magistrate Judge Madeline Cox Arleo. An arraignment on the Indictment will like occur in the next two weeks before the U.S. District Judge to whom the case is assigned.

The Indictment was returned by a grand jury on Thursday and unsealed with Calandrino's arrest.

An Indictment is a formal charge made by a grand jury, a body of sixteen to twenty-three citizens. Grand jury proceedings are secret, and neither persons under investigation nor their attorneys have the right to be present. A grand jury may vote to indict if twelve or more jurors find probable cause to believe that the defendant has committed the crime or crimes charged.

Despite Indictment, every defendant is presumed innocent, unless and until found guilty beyond a reasonable doubt, following a trial at which the defendant has all of the trial rights guaranteed by the United States Constitution and federal law.

U.S Attorney Christie credited Special Agents of the Federal Bureau of Investigation, under the direction of Special Agent in Charge Joseph Billy Jr. in Newark, for investigation of the case.

The Government is represented by Assistant U.S. Attorneys Michael A. Hammer and Scott A. Resnik of the Special Prosecutions Division in Newark.

Counsel for defendant: Mitchell Ansell, Ocean Township