Middlesex County officer's assault charge not his first

MILLTOWN A Middlesex County sheriff’s officer who also is the Borough Council president and seeking re-election was charged Monday with aggravated assault.

This is at least the second time that Neil Raciti, 47, has been arrested during his 14-year career with the Sheriff’s Office.

Raciti initially had been charged Sunday with simple assault, but the charge was upgraded the next day to a third-degree crime after authorities learned that his victim had suffered a fracture, the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office said Monday.

While Raciti was off-duty during the alleged incident shortly before 1 p.m, he was suspended without pay from his $87,800-a-year county job, Sheriff Mildred “Millie” Scott told NJ Advance Media on Monday. Scott’s office declined to speak with MyCentralJersey.com.

Raciti was released from custody on his own recognizance.

Raciti was arrested on an assault charge in December 2006, according to records obtained by MyCentralJersey.com. It was not immediately clear Monday how that charge was disposed.

Raciti, who recently changed his party affiliation and is seeking re-election as a Republican, could not be reached for comment Monday.

A spokesman for the prosecutor did not identify Raciti’s alleged victim or release other details about the circumstances of the incident.

The victim was treated and released from Saint Peter’s University Hospital in New Brunswick, officials said.

Staff Writer Sergio Bichao: 908-243-6615; sbichao@mycentraljersey.com