Story by Ethan
On May 23rd, 2025, the arrest of Mark S. Hettinger, age 43, was announced by Bergen County Prosecutor Mark Musella. Mark S. Hettinger was charged with one count of third-degree tampering with public records or information, and one count of fourth-degree falsifying or tampering with records. The arrest and charges against Mark S. Hettinger were a result of an investigation launched by Chief Matthew Finck of the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office.
According to the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office, on April 16th, 2025, their Confidential Investigations Unit was notified of an alleged incident of public records being tampered with within the Borough of Elmwood Park Fire Prevention Bureau. Authorities allege that on or close to the date of April 14th, 2025, Mark S. Hettinger, employed as a fire inspector, falsely completed both a Fire Inspection Report and a Fire Inspection Certificate.
The Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office stated that the charges against Mark S. Hettinger are merely accusations, and the defendant is presumed innocent unless proven guilty beyond a reasonable doubt in a court of law.
