A New Jersey police chief is now facing serious domestic violence charges, shaking the foundations of trust within the community. This is a story that demands attention. Carmen Veneziano, the head of Totowa, New Jersey's police department, has been indicted on charges that include kidnapping and domestic assault and battery. The allegations stem from an incident that occurred earlier this year in a Boston hotel.
On December 21, 2025, officials in Suffolk County, Massachusetts, revealed the indictment, which includes one count of kidnapping and three counts of domestic assault and battery. Prosecutors allege that Veneziano confined and assaulted a woman overnight on September 14th in a hotel room located in Boston’s Back Bay neighborhood.
Veneziano was arrested in New Jersey on Friday and is scheduled to be arraigned in Boston on Monday. As of the time of the initial report, an attorney for Veneziano was not yet listed in court records.
This situation has significant implications. Totowa Mayor John Coiro announced that he learned of the charges on Friday and immediately suspended Veneziano without pay. Coiro stated that the Prosecutor’s Office informed him that the charges were serious felonies.
Further details regarding the case are expected to be disclosed during Veneziano's arraignment. This case raises important questions about accountability and the responsibilities of those in positions of power.
