Mark Musella Sworn In as Bergen County Prosecutor
Mark Musella Sworn In as Bergen County Prosecutor
TRENTON – Governor Phil Murphy today marked the swearing-in of Mark Musella as Bergen County Prosecutor. Musella was sworn in by Superior Court Assignment Judge Bonnie J. Mizdol at the Bergen County Court House in Hackensack.
Governor Murphy nominated Musella as Bergen County Prosecutor on March 25, 2019, and Musella was confirmed by the New Jersey Senate on May 13. Prosecutor Musella takes over from Dennis Calo, who has served as Bergen County Acting Prosecutor since January 2018.
“Mark Musella is an accomplished attorney with an exceptional legal career in Bergen County,” said Governor Murphy. “I am confident that Prosecutor Musella will be a strong leader and enhance the trust between law enforcement and the community to promote a safer Bergen County for all.”
“The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office (BCPO) is particularly important to me. As a resident of Bergen County and as the former county prosecutor, I know firsthand how complex and demanding the position can be,” said Attorney General Gurbir Grewal. “I know that Prosecutor Mark Musella will continue the great work being done at the BCPO especially when it comes to community engagement and innovative ways to combat the opioid crisis, such as Operation Helping Hand. I also want to thank Prosecutor Dennis Calo, for serving the people of Bergen County for the last 17 months with dignity, professionalism, and grace. I look forward to working with Prosecutor Musella, and now First Assistant Prosecutor Calo to carry on the tradition of excellence that the people of Bergen County have come to expect from the BCPO.”
“I am proud and honored to have been nominated and confirmed as Bergen County Prosecutor,” said Mark Musella. “I am committed to keeping the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office at the forefront of criminal investigations and prosecutions. I look forward to serving all of Bergen County’s diverse communities and to making our county a safe and better place to live.”
Musella becomes the chief law enforcement officer of Bergen County – the most populous county in New Jersey and home to nearly one million residents living in 70 municipalities. Prosecutor Musella will oversee a staff of approximately 265 personnel at the BCPO, consisting of Assistant Prosecutors, Detectives, and support staff. He also exercises supervisory authority over approximately 2,700 sworn law enforcement officers in 72 law enforcement agencies operating in Bergen County. In addition to conducting its own proactive investigations, the BCPO maintains specialized squads that assist municipal police departments in the investigation of crimes calling for increased personnel, specialized equipment, technical know-how, or highly specialized training. These crimes include arson, homicide, sex crimes, drug trafficking, traditional organized crime, domestic violence, financial crimes, and cyber crimes.
Prosecutor Musella is returning to the BCPO, where he began his legal career as an Assistant Prosecutor from September 1988 to June 1994, eventually serving as Assistant Chief of both the Trial Section and the Grand Jury Section. During his tenure, he prosecuted 50 jury trials, and handled hundreds of pleas, sentences, bails and motions, as well as presenting cases to the Grand Jury. Since 1994, Prosecutor Musella has worked as an attorney in criminal and civil litigation and has served as Municipal Prosecutor in Hasbrouck Heights as well as Public Defender for 12 Bergen County towns.
Prosecutor Musella graduated with a Bachelor of Arts degree in English from Fordham University in 1984. He obtained his law degree from the Delaware Law School, Widener University in 1987. A lifelong Bergen County resident, he resides in Wood-Ridge with his family, and remains very active as a community volunteer.
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