SOMERSET -- A female Somerset County sheriff officer who has been accused of sexually harassing male officers wants her disciplinary hearing open to the public under the Open Public Meetings Act.
Amy Alfano, an 18-year veteran of the Sheriff's Office, was suspended with pay on July 16, 2014 for 36 alleged violations of the Somerset County Sheriff's Office Rules and Regulations, according to a civil complaint filed in Somerset County.
Those acts include her telling fellow officers the size of penis she prefers, showing officers naked pictures of herself and touching the genitals of officers, court documents said.
Alfano has denied the allegations and said she was targeted after she complained about being disciplined over her cell phone use in the courthouse.
The Somerset County Sheriff's Office wants the hearing to be closed to the public, citing that independent Hearing Officer Even H.C. Crook ruled in the office's favor on June 16, 2015, court documents said.
But Alfano's Fairfield-based attorney, Tim Smith, has appealed the decision, court documents said.
The matter has been transferred to Morris County Superior Court because of a conflict of interest, court documents said. No date for the motion to be heard has been set at this time.
"Internally, the Somerset County Sheriff's Office is a cesspool," Smith said. "It is run more like a fraternity than a law enforcement unit. Tragically, Officer Alfano has been subjected to years of abuse, bullying, harassment, discrimination, and even hazing.
"The Sheriff's Office clearly has an interest in not having its "Animal House" culture exposed to the citizens of Somerset County, which is exactly what will occur if Officer Alfano's departmental hearing is open to the public."
Somerset County General Counsel William T. Cooper III called Smith's tactic to make the hearing public "troubling," especially after the independent hearing officer declined his initial motion.
"Personnel matters are generally held in private," Cooper said. "Open law has exceptions. The fact that counsel has stooped to this level and chose this tactic speaks volumes. It's troubling."
According to the New Jersey Attorney General on Internal Affairs Policies, "All disciplinary hearings shall be closed to the public, unless the principal requests an open hearing. The agency reserves the right to petition the hearing officer to conduct a close hearing if a legitimate reason exists for such request," court documents said.
Smith called Cooper's comments "ridiculous." He said he doesn't create the laws, he abides by them, "unlike the county counsel. We have nothing to hide. Apparently, the county counsel does."
"We do not fear -- we welcome -- an open hearing, which shall certainly serve to vindicate Officer Alfano, and expose the 'Animal House' culture she was forced to endure," Smith added.
Somerset County Sheriff Frank J. Provenzano declined to comment on the case because it involves personnel matters.
According to court documents, Alfano has been accused of several workplace allegations, including:
* Alfano allegedly said to a fellow officer that she prefers larger genitalia.
* Alfano allegedly grabbed her breasts and asked a fellow officer, "What do you think of these?"
* Alfano allegedly showed a fellow officer a picture from her cell phone of a threesome in which she said she was involved.
* Alfano allegedly grabbed a fellow officer's genitalia.
* Alfano allegedly went into the men's locker room and commented on an officer's genitalia.
The allegations against Alfano were brought by Capt. Glenn Dickey and Lt. Robert Sanders and supported by fellow male officers, court documents said.
The discord began on May 2, 2012 when Alfano was disciplined by Sanders for using her cellphone in the courthouse while on duty, court documents said.
Alfano countered that she was being "singled out" by Sanders, court documents said. Sanders responded by saying he had information about "alleged inappropriate actions" by Alfano, court documents said.
Smith said the allegations are "false" and "retaliatory" for Alfano complaining after being disciplined for using her cell phone in the courthouse. He said if Alfano's actions had been so inappropriate over the years why did the sheriff's office wait so long to make the allegations.
Up to that point, Smith said Alfano had an "accomplished" and "unblemished" record. She is a member of the county SWAT Negotiations Team.
Smith countered with his own allegations, alleging Alfano was also sexually harassed.
After an investigation that stretched from May 17, 2012 to June 6, 2014 was completed, Alfano was suspended on July 16, 2014 amid the alleged 36 acts of violating the sheriff's office rules and regulations, court documents said.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com.Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.