Attorneys for two of the four Jersey City motorcycle squad cops who are the subject of a 107-count indictment alleging official misconduct say their clients are victims of political retaliation.

Lt. Kelly Chesler and retired Capt. Joseph Ascolese are whistleblowers being punished for revealing misconduct in the Jersey City Police Department, the pair's attorneys told The Jersey Journal today.

"Captain Ascolese looks forward to a trial in this matter where we can expose the charges for what they really are -- retaliatory falsehoods that have absolutely no merit whatsoever," said his attorney, Robert E Lytle.

Ascolese and Chesler, who along with two officers were indicted by county prosecutors last week on charges that include allegedly falsifying timesheets, filed a lawsuit against the city in federal court in March 2015. The two allege Chesler was the victim of sexual harassment and police brass did nothing about the complaints.

"When she uncovered misconduct in the Jersey City Police Department she did what the public would expect a sworn officer to do; she reported it," Jeff Garrigan, Chesler's attorney, said in a statement to The Jersey Journal. "Instead of conducting a proper investigation, however, Jersey City brass targeted her and began a campaign of retaliation."

Garrigan also said the indictment is an attempt to deny Chesler, a 17-year veteran of the police force, a promotion to captain "which she richly deserves."

Mayor Steve Fulop has said the case is an illustration of his administration's attempts to "root out corruption." A request for comment from Fulop's spokeswoman was not immediately returned today.

Michael A. Maietti and Michael O'Neill are the other two cops named in last week's indictment. The four face charges of conspiracy, theft by deception, falsifying records, official misconduct and pattern of official misconduct.

O'Neill, an officer for 22 years, is "collateral damage in some larger and unrelated dispute," his attorney, Charles Sciarra, said in an email to The Jersey Journal.

"He was in the motorcycle unit, which is at the center of this calamity, for a short time and vehemently denies any wrongdoing," Sciarra said. "His family, friends and colleagues know him for his decency and integrity, and that reputation will be in tact when he is exonerated in this matter."

Maietti's attorney could not be reached to comment.

A spokesman for the Hudson County Prosecutor's Office declined to comment.

Terrence T. McDonald may be reached at tmcdonald@jjournal.com. Follow him on Twitter @terrencemcd. Find The Jersey Journal on Facebook.