TRENTON – Attorney General Jeffrey S. Chiesa announced that a security manager at Atlantic City’s Trump Taj Mahal casino has been indicted for allegedly obstructing an undercover investigation into prostitution in Atlantic City.
James Curtis, 36, of Brigantine, was charged on Wednesday (May 22) with fourth-degree promoting prostitution and fourth-degree obstructing administration of law.
The Atlantic County grand jury indictment alleges that on June 24, 2011, Curtis, who was a security manager at Trump Taj Mahal in Atlantic City, obstructed an investigation into prostitution at the casino. An investigation determined that Curtis, in his capacity as security manager, received an e-mail about the presence of undercover detectives conducting prostitution details. It is alleged that Curtis forwarded the e-mail to a woman that he knew was a prostitute in an effort to obstruct the investigation.
“The job of a security manager is to protect casino patrons, not to impede an investigation into illegal activity within New Jersey’s casinos,” Attorney General Chiesa said.
“Law enforcement needs to be able to share information between agencies without worrying that classified information will be leaked to investigation targets,” Division of Criminal Justice Director Elie Honig said.
Curtis was arrested at the Taj Mahal on May 15, 2012 and was terminated that day from his position as a result of the investigation.
Deputy Attorney General Kelly Biringer of the Division of Criminal Justice’s Casino Prosecution Bureau and Detective Carl Smallwood of the New Jersey State Police coordinated the investigation. Deputy Attorney General Kerry DiJoseph presented the case to the Atlantic County grand jury on Deputy Attorney General Biringer’s behalf. Attorney General Chiesa thanked the New Jersey Division of Gaming Enforcement and the New Jersey State Police for their assistance in the investigation.
The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty. Fourth-degree crimes carry a maximum sentence of 18 months in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $10,000.
#### |