Crime & Safety

Butler Fire Inspector Expected to Plead Not Guilty in Court Wednesday

Prosector said Earl Dean allegedly tampered with and falsified fire inspection reports.

A paralegal who works for Butler Fire Inspector Earl Dean's attorney said Thursday that Dean will be pleading not guilty when he appears for an Early Disposition Conference (EDC) at the Morris County Courthouse next Wednesday.

Dean, 62, on March 4 with second-degree official misconduct, third-degree tampering with public records and fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records, according to the prosecutor's office spokesman Capt. Jeffrey Paul.

Tom Possumato, a paralegal who works with Dean's attorney, Anthony Fusco Jr., said, "[Dean's'] position is that he did nothing illegal." Fusco was not immediately available for comment.

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Possumato said Dean will attend the proceedings Wednesday at 9 a.m. After the court proceedings, it will be decided if the case will go to trial.

When asked about the case on Monday, Butler Fire Chief Jim Neill said, "We're sworn to secrecy until after the trial."

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Butler Police Chief Edward Card said, "There is no new information that I'm aware of at this time. Everything's sort of status quo."

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