Arson dog died in Gloucester fire marshal's county SUV; state kept no-charge call quiet
In August 2022, Ember, Gloucester County's three-year-old arson investigation dog, was found dead with Fire Marshal Shawn Layton's personal dog inside a county-issued Chevrolet Tahoe assigned to Layton, who buried both in his backyard. The Gloucester County Prosecutor's Office referred the case in 2023 to the Attorney General's Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA). No findings or charging decision were announced. In July 2026, County Counsel Eric Campo said the county had been told the case was closed with no charges; the AG's office said it does not give status updates. On July 10, OPIA wrote that it would 'not pursue criminal charges at this time.' Two people familiar with the probe told the New Jersey Globe OPIA had decided not to prosecute over two years earlier. Commissioner Chris Konawel asked why the public was told different things. The county's website still lists Layton as chief fire marshal.
Prosecutors wield enormous power, and sometimes silence alone can ruin a life
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