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New Brunswick Today's website.

NEW BRUNSWICK – Charlie Kratovil thought he was going to get a scoop about the Police Department.

Instead, the New Brunswick journalist got arrested.

Kratovil, who is the editor of New Brunswick Today, released an audio recording of what he says transpired Tuesday night, after he was accused of violating a temporary restraining order.

Kratovil says he received a phone call Tuesday night from an anonymous tipster. The man, who didn't give his name, told Kratovil he could tell him which police officer threw away a book of traffic tickets, which Kratovil reported on earlier this month. The city is investigating the claim.

Kratovil and the man agreed to meet at Starbucks on George Street. When Kratovil showed up, he was arrested.

Kratovil now says that it was a New Brunswick police officer, intent on arresting him, that had called him promising information about the New Brunswick Police Department.

Captain J.T. Miller of the New Brunswick Police Department did not immediately respond to a request for comment.

"This was in response to a judge's order to place him under arrest with no bail for a domestic violence offense," city spokeswoman Jennifer Bradshaw said in an email. "All law enforcement agencies use different tactics when there is a need to carry out an arrest warrant."

Kratovil was released on $25,000 bail on Thursday.

Bradshaw said that his arrest wasn't a form of retaliation. Kratovil is often critical of city institutions.

His reporting "has absolutely no bearing on the situation surrounding his arrest," Bradshaw said.

Police gave no further details about the person who filed the temporary restraining order or the nature of the complaint.

Eric B. Morrell, Kratovil's attorney, said that the complaint stems from a long-ago romantic relationship. By chance, Kratovil keeps seeing his ex and her husband in public places around the city, Morrell said. That happened again at Destination Dogs on Paterson Street earlier on Tuesday, a few hours before Kratovil got the anonymous call, Morrell said.

"The false accusations against me are insulting to genuine victims of harassment," Kratovil said in an emailed statement to NJ.com. "I am 100% confident they will be thrown out by a judge as previous claims by this individual have been."

A hearing on the temporary restraining order is scheduled for July 23, Morrell said. No court date on the temporary restraining order violation charge has been set. Kratovil was also charged for allegedly refusing to be photographed or fingerprinted.

He spent about 36 hours in county lockup.

"While this was a harrowing experience, I intend to make the most of this opportunity by reporting on problems I witnessed at the Middlesex County Adult Correctional Facility," Kratovil said.

While he was in jail, Kratovil wrote two letters to the warden alleging violations of his rights, including difficulty in making outside telephone calls.

A county spokesperson said in an email: "Middlesex County is aware of the allegations that have been made and is currently reviewing them."