DUI Case Against Embattled NJ Prosecutor’s Chief Takes A Turn

SOMERVILLE, NJ — A new twist has emerged following the the arrest of one of the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office(SCPO)'s top chiefs.

Deputy Chief Meredith McKay is currently SCPO’s Acting Chief of Detectives, said SCPO Confidential Aide to the Chief of Detectives Mackenzie Caruso to Patch on Tuesday.

Additionally, the Attorney General’s Office has assigned the matter to the Morris County Prosecutor’s Office following the arrest of SCPO Chief of Detectives Francisco Roman, Jr., for driving under the influence (DUI).

Roman, Jr. was charged with operating under the influence of liquor or drugs in Somerville.

He was also charged with careless driving likely to endanger person or property.

The charges happened overnight, Friday into Saturday morning, around midnight, according to traffic summonses obtained by Patch.

"He fully cooperated with the Somerville Police and was released with motor vehicle summonses," said Caruso.

Caruso said that the Morris County Prosecutor's Office(MCPO) has been assigned to review Roman's case.

"The Morris County Prosecutor’s Office is handling this investigation. This matter is under investigation, and further details cannot be released at this time," Meghan Knab, a Morris County Prosecutor's Office spokesperson, told Patch.

Caruso said that "the Somerset County Prosecutor's Office will have no further comment pending the outcome of the matter."

Roman is scheduled to appear before the Somerville Municipal Court at 100 Commons Way in Bridgewater on April 6 at 2 p.m.

Roman did not respond to Patch's request for comment.

Roman is a 25-year veteran of law enforcement in New Jersey. He built his career inside the Somerset County Prosecutor’s Office, moving through narcotics, organized crime, major crimes and command assignments over more than two decades.

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