Cops: Lying NJ lawyer said detective was driving his crashed car

YouTube video by Schibell, Mennie & Kentos, LLC

Authorities say a Monmouth County lawyer tried to convince police that a Middlesex County detective was driving his crashed vehicle when it crashed outside a Sayreville nightclub — even though the detective was nowhere near the car or club at the time.

Mark Kentos, 45, of Freehold, is facing several charges after allegedly lying to investigators about the crash, Middlesex County Prosecutor Andrew C. Carey and Chief John J. Zebrowski of the Sayreville Police Department said Tuesday in a joint announcement. He surrendered to police and was charged Monday.

According to the prosecutor's office, Kentos was driving a 2006 Dodge Ram pickup truck in the parking lot of a nightclub in Sayreville on Dec. 4, 2015 when he crashed into the rear passenger side of a 2013 Subaru at 11:20 p.m.

Kentos told police his pickup had been driven by a detective from the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office and claimed the detective fled, the Monmouth prosecutor's office said.

"It subsequently was shown that the detective was not the driver, was not at the scene of the collision, and had not been at the nightclub," the announcement said.

The announcement from authorities didn't say how they determined Kentos lied, or why he specifically named the Middlesex detective. New Jersey 101.5 has sent authorities a message seeking further clarification.

Kentos is an attorney with Schibell, Mennie & Kentos, which has offices in Ocean and Howell townships. He has been charged with a fourth-degree count of providing false reports to law enforcement, obstructing the administration of law and hindering his own apprehension.

Authorities are asking anyone with information to contact Lt. Timothy Brennan of the Sayreville Police Department at 732-727-4444, or Detective Nicholas Chiorello of the Middlesex County Prosecutor’s Office e at 732-745-3300.