The physical altercation occurred after a council meeting Monday night in Bloomfield, police said. Watch video
BLOOMFIELD -- Video has surfaced of an alleged fight outside a township council meeting between a town councilman and the family members of another councilman who is facing charges that he accepted a $15,000 bribe.
According to Bloomfield police, there was a "physical altercation" between Councilman Joseph Lopez and Daniel Chalet, a relative of first ward Councilman Elias Chalet, in the rear parking lot of the municipal plaza at 7:42 p.m. Monday, after a township council meeting.
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The incident allegedly occurred when Daniel Chalet and a group of his cousins were walking past Lopez's car, according to police reports obtained by NJ Advance Media.
Councilman Joe Lopez. (Courtesy Joe Lopez)Lopez told police that a group surrounded his car, recording him and his wife on their cell phones, when one attempted to open his car door, the report says. Lopez then kicked the door open and an argument ensued, it states.
But, Chalet, when interviewed by police at Mountainside Hospital several hours later, told police he and his cousins were walking to their car, which was parked behind Lopez's, when Lopez kicked the door open into him, the report states. Chalet claimed Lopez then punched him twice, causing his phone to fall to the ground, the report states.
Police responded to the scene of the incident. Chalet said that he went to the hospital after the incident, and called police to take a statement there.
Lopez told police he believed the incident was retaliation for his motion during the council meeting for Elias Chalet to resign.
"How can Councilman Chalet represent the people of the first ward if he is preoccupied defending himself against criminal charges?" Lopez asked at the meeting, a recording of which is posted on the municipal website.
Saying that Chalet "betrayed the public trust," he made a motion to force the embattled councilman to resign, but the motion was not seconded by any other council member, and so was not voted on during the meeting.
Elias Chalet. (File photo) Lopez's comments come after Chalet was arrested in November on charges that he solicited and accepted a bribe from a township business owner to ensure the purchase of his commercial property, authorities have said. Chalet, who attended Monday night's meeting, is facing up to 10 years in jail if convicted.
Police spokesman Ralph Marotti said Wednesday that no charges had been filed in connection to the physical altercation Monday night.
Reached Thursday afternoon, Lopez said he was at the police station filing retaliation, harassment, stalking, and filing a false report complaints against Chalet. Lopez denied striking Chalet, and said that he got out of his car because he felt that he, and his wife and father who were also in the car, were being threatened.
"At first, I thought we were being carjacked," Lopez said. "We were being threatened."
Since the incident, Lopez said he has requested 24-hour police surveillance at his home, noting that he fears "further retaliation" from the Chalet family.
"It's become a traumatizing experience," he said.
But, Chalet said Thursday that Lopez targeted his family after members came to the meeting Monday to support his cousin, Elias, and filmed Lopez during the meeting.
"He had a hot head because...we had about 200 family members (at the meeting) to support my cousin," Chalet said. "He's trying to bring my cousin down...but I think he needs to look at his own actions."
Chalet said he has pressed aggravated assault charges against Lopez, and plans to file false police report charges against Lopez and his wife, and possible charges relating to property damage, since his cell phone was damaged during the incident.
"I want to let the courts handle it," he said. "I'm fearful...about what could happen next."
Elias Chalet has not yet responded to a request seeking comment on the incident.
In a statement provided to NJ Advance Media Thursday, Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia called the situation "difficult."
"Obviously these events have been difficult for many in our community and emotions are running high," he said.
"However, it is important for both public officials and private citizens to maintain their composure and especially to not resort to violence, name calling and belligerence."
Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
