Former New Jersey Mayor Charged in Child Sex Case Released After Judge Cites Weakened Evidence

DUMONT, N.J. — A former Bergen County mayor accused of sexually assaulting and drugging a minor has been released from jail after a judge ruled new evidence weakened the case enough to no longer justify pretrial detention. Andrew LaBruno, the former mayor of Dumont, had spent roughly five months in custody following his 2024 arrest before the court ordered his release under conditions.

The decision does not dismiss the charges. Instead, it reflects a legal threshold under New Jersey law that requires judges to reassess detention when the strength o...