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Woodbridge P.D. & Township Enforcement Officers File Charges Alleging Multiple Code, Ordinance, and ABC Violations…

Woodbridge Township officials today a nnounced that extensive discussions by representatives of the Municipal Clerk’s office and the Woodbridge Police Department has resulted in the voluntary closure of the Cameo night club pending a Dec. 19 hearing before Township Council.

Township Council President Patricia Osborne, in conjunction with Councilmen Charles Kenny and James Carroll noted that the Township Council serves as the Alcoholic Beverage Control (ABC) Governing Board and acts as fact-finder involving ABC-related violations.

“It is the intention of the Council to respond immediately to any situation involving ABC licensure and to conduct fair and impartial hearings regarding the facts surrounding any alleged violations,” said Council President Osborne. Councilman Kenny said that “the Township Council takes any alleged ABC violations that place the safety of police, patrons, or residents in danger very seriously.”

According to Woodbridge Township Mayor John E. McCormac, potential illegal activities at the Cameo came under intense scrutiny after Woodbridge police officers responded to a series of incidents on Dec. 3 and 10. Those incidents resulted in the arrest of three individuals on charges of aggravated assault, resisting arrest, and disorderly conduct. The Woodbridge Police Department continues to investigate alleged illegal activities involving the operation of the Cameo, including at least one stabbing, a series of brawls, allegations of underage drinking, and dangerous overcrowding conditions during concerts and entertainment events at the banquet facility.

“This Administration through the police department and authorized municipal agencies, in concert with Township Council and its authority to oversee ABC licensure, moved swiftly to curtail the illegal and dangerous activities allegedly occurring at the Cameo. While the operators have agreed to voluntarily cease operations pending a hearing before Township Council, the Administration will continue to investigate and take all appropriate action under its authority to curtail illegal operations,” Mayor McCormac said.

Township officials noted that a review of municipal records determined that Smith Toth, Inc., Woodbridge, (d/b/a the Cameo), operated by Harry and Jarrod Dominick and located at 800 Rahway Avenue, Woodbridge, is licensed as a banquet facility only (weddings, receptions, etc.) and is not permitted to operate as a night club or other entertainment facility.

As a result of the ongoing investigations and on-site inspections, Smith Toth, Inc. (Cameo) has been charged with multiple violations of state and township ordinances, municipal codes, and ABC regulations, including immoral conduct and public disturbance, maintaining a nuisance operation, failure to adequately provide security personnel, sale of alcoholic beverages to unauthorized/underage persons, serving intoxicated persons, and multiple violations of municipal housing, building, zoning and planning ordinances. Additionally, fire department officials previously issued fire code violations.

Township officials also indicated that prior legal action initiated by Laucyn Enterprises, Inc., Woodbridge, the owners of the Rahway Avenue property, resulted in an eviction order issued by Middlesex County Superior Court Judge LeBlon. The Order evicting Smith Toth, Inc. is effective Jan. 31, 2007.

“Night clubs, bars, and entertainment facilities are subject to very stringent regulations. Illegal and overcrowded conditions present a real danger to the public health and safety and stands as a significant quality of life issue,” Mayor McCormac said. “I have instructed the Woodbridge Police Department and Township inspectors to identify any potential illegal entertainment operation and to respond to every complaint.”

FOR FURTHER INFORMATION CONTACT:
John R. Hagerty
Mayor’s Office of Communications
(732) 602-6039

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