EDGEWATER - Ernest R. Liberatore, Executive Director of the Greater Edgewater Chamber of Commerce, was recently arrested at his home in Leonia and charged with making terroristic threats against a Borough employee.

The employee, Jill Sullivan, is director of the Borough's Recreation Department at the recently-constructed Edgewater Community Center. According to Edgewater Detective Alex Hanna, on March 2, Ms. Sullivan reported to the Edgewater police that on February 23, Liberatore allegedly threatened to do harm to her.

A warrant for Liberatore's arrest was issued on March 5 after Judge John DeSheplo of the Fort Lee Municipal Court found probable cause, and Liberatore was arrested the same day at his Leonia residence.

Liberatore, who is 48, was released on $2500 cash bail with no 10% option.

Although it is unknown whether Liberatore has any prior record of arrest, he has indicated in a sworn certification filed in the Superior Court that he may be under federal investigation. In an unrelated civil lawsuit for defamation filed last year, Liberatore certified to the court that he was informed the FBI was questioning local businessmen about him. The civil suit includes allegations that Liberatore received kickback payments from monies paid by local Edgewater businesses for inclusion on the "Edgewater Map", a Chamber of Commerce publication.

3/13/01