Matthew Platkin: Latest News

A hand sanitizing wipe kiosk stands at Ocean Casino Resort in Atlantic City, New Jersey, U.S., on Thursday, July 2, 2020.

JERSEY CITY, NJ - FEBRUARY 25: Views of the future Skyway Park, a former illegal dumping ground for toxic waste that city officials plan on transforming into a memorial park for the hundreds of thousands of Americans who have died from the COVID-19 p TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey announced eight new lawsuits and other action against what it says are companies and individuals who've failed to clean up pollutants at sites across the state, the attorney general and top environmental official said Thursday.The suits are aimed at forcing the remediation of pollutants such as gasoline and other chemicals that seeped into the ground, Attorney General Matthew Platkin and Environmental Protection Commissioner Shawn LaTourette said in a statement.The sites include former gas stations, chemical manufacturers and automotive mechanics across the state, from Camden and Washington Township in southern New Jersey to Newark and West Milford in the north."Through these actions, we are sending a clear message: whether you pollute our air, our soil, or our water, we will hold you accountable. Our communities deserve no less," Platkin said in a statement.Alongside the lawsuits, brought in state Superior Court, the officials said they issued a directive to a former industrial manufacturer located in Newark requiring it clean up volatile chemicals that seeped into the ground.The lawsuits come as part of the state's efforts under Democratic Gov.

FILE - Police lights are shown in a close up image. (Credit: FOX TV Stations) TRENTON, N.J. - New Jersey authorities on Wednesday arrested a small-town police chief, charging him with sexually assaulting subordinates over more than a decade, while also announcing misconduct charges against another police chief who recently retired.Attorney General Matthew Platkin said that Manville police Chief Thomas Herbst, 55, of Bridgewater, New Jersey, was arrested earlier Wednesday and faces multiple counts of sexual assault, official misconduct and other similar charges.Herbst's lawyer, Jim Wronko, said in a phone interview that his client "categorically denies" engaging in nonconsensual sex with any woman.

WILDWOOD, N.J. - Three Wildwood lawmakers, including its current mayor, are being charged by the state of New Jersey.Wildwood Mayor Peter Byron, former Mayor Ernest Troiano Jr. and current City Commissioner Steven Mikulski have all been accused of fraudulently participating in the State Health Benefits Program, according to AG Matthew Platkin.All three city officials allegedly received publicly funded health benefits, despite never being eligible:To be eligible to receive employer-provided healthcare, elected officials must be full-time employees.

SeQuoya Bacon-Jones, 9, was shot and killed in Trenton on March 25.  (Family photo)TRENTON, N.J. - Authorities in Mercer County announced an arrest in connection to the death of a Trenton 9-year-old who was shot and killed on March 25. Police responded to reports of gunfire at 7:27 p.m. after arguments and fights broke out amongst a large group, officials say. When police arrived, SeQuoya Bacon-Jones was found suffering from gunshot wounds, according to police. Authorities say several people and Bacon-Jones' mother were around her providing aid. RELATED: Trenton community mourns 9-year-old girl killed in shootingMedics transported Bacon-Jones to Capital Health Regional Medical Center where she was stabilized in surgery.