By Angela Delli Santi
The Associated Press
TRENTON, N.J. — Seven state troopers have been suspended with pay as authorities investigate a woman’s claims that one or more off-duty troopers participated in sexually assaulting her, officials said Tuesday.
The 25-year-old woman says she was assaulted by a group of men at a home in Ewing Township early Friday, said Capt. Al Della Fave, a state police spokesman. No charges have been filed.
The investigation is “in the very early stages,” Mercer County Assistant Prosecutor Angelo Onofri said.
The woman was treated at a hospital, Onofri said.
State police had said earlier that six troopers were suspended. Della Fave said later that a seventh was also suspended but would not elaborate.
The suspensions are unusual because the troopers have not been charged, Della Fave said. Troopers normally are suspended without pay after being charged but were suspended with pay in this case because of its high-profile nature and its seriousness, he said.
Gov. Jon Corzine confirmed the inquiry but declined to comment in detail.
“Like everyone, if the allegations were true, you’d be deeply disturbed,” he said.e