Politics & Government

Ocean County's New Prosecutor Takes Oath Friday

Joseph D. Coronato will be sworn in as prosecutor at 3:30 p.m. Friday

Joseph D. Coronato will take the oath to become Ocean County's new prosecutor on Friday. 

Coronato - a Republican with a law firm in Toms River - will replace outgoing prosecutor Marlene Lynch Ford during a Friday afternoon ceremony in Historic Courtroom One, according to Executive Assistant Prosecutor Michael Paulhus.

Gov. Chris Christie appointed Ford, a Democrat, as a Superior Court judge. She previously served a stint as a Superior Court judge before being named prosecutor in 2007 by Gov. Jon Corzine.

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Both Ford and Coronato were confirmed for their positions by the state Senate Monday, according to the Asbury Park Press

County freeholders offered praise for both during a meeting last week.

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"I'm conflicted here, because I'm going to really miss you as a prosecutor, working with you and seeing what you've done," said Freeholder James Lacey to Ford at the time. "But I'm glad you found a home back on the bench."

Praise was also given to Coronato, who was originally appointed by Christie for his new post last June but had to wait for a confirmation vote. 

"You're now going to come from the private sector and go right to the public sector, and it's going to be a great challenge for you," Freeholder Director Jack Kelly said then. "But I've worked with you for a lot of years, and I know you're going to be successful."


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