2 Police In Bergen County Suspended For Involvement In Steakhouse Fight Coverup

BERGEN COUNTY, NJ — Two police officers in different Bergen County towns — one accused of involvement in a fight outside a steakhouse, the other accused of covering it up — have been suspended, said representatives of their respective departments.

On Feb. 13, Montvale Police Officer Nicholas K. Dispoto, 31, of Hillsdale was charged with aggravated assault in connection with an incident in which a man was knocked unsconscious outside a Park Ridge steakhouse last year.

The Bergen County Prosecutor's Office said that Dispoto was off duty at the time.

Jason R. Vradenburg, 28, of Park Ridge was also charged in connection with the incident. Vradenburg, and officer with the Park Ridge Police Department, was also off duty, prosecutors said.

Prosecutors said that after police responded to the incident, Vradenburg and two civilians tried to conceal Dispoto's involvement.

Prosecutors said that on Dec. 6 of last year, Park Ridge police responded to a "disturbance in progress" at the Park Ridge Steakhouse.

They found a man on the ground with an apparent head injury, prosecutors said. He was taken to the hospital with serious injuries, and released days later.

When the Park Ridge Police Department began investigating, they notified the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office Confidential Investigations Unit, prosecutors said. The Prosecutor's Office took over the investigation.

They determined that Dispoto was involved in the incident that led to the victim's injuries.

Prosecutors said he hid inside the steakhouse when police arrived.

Prosecutors said that Vradenburg, as well as Marina L. McGee and Thomas M. Schiavone, provided police with false information to hide Dispoto's involvement in the incident.

Suspensions

Montvale Police Chief Douglas McDowell said that Dispoto was suspended with pay during the investigation.

He released a short statement: "The Montvale Police Department has been notified of pending charges against one of our officers. The charges stem from an off-duty incident that is currently being handled by the Bergen County Prosecutor's Office. Effective immediately, Officer Dispoto has been placed on suspension with pay."

He referred further questions to county prosecutors.

A spokesperson for Park Ridge Police Chief Joseph Rampolla said Vradenburg was suspended as well, but without pay.

"The investigation is being conducted by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office," says the statement. "This incident took place while Jason Vradenburg was off-duty and we recognize the seriousness of the charges and hope the victim has recovered fully. Officer Jason Vradenburg has been suspended without pay at this time."

Dispoto was charged with third-degree aggravated assault, third-degree endangering an injured victim, and fourth-degree obstructing the administration of law, prosecutors said.

Vradenburg was charged with third-degree endangering an injured victim, third-degree tampering with public records, and fourth-degree hindering apprehension of another.

Both men were released to await a Superior Court appearance.

McGee and Schiavone were each charged with fourth-degree hindering and await a Superior Court appearance, prosecutors said.