BOSTON—A New Jersey police chief is in hot water following a scandalous trip to the Hub, where he allegedly turned a weekend getaway into a nightmare of domestic violence and kidnapping.

Carmen Veneziano, 47, who heads the Totowa Police Department, pleaded not guilty to multiple charges after an incident at a Back Bay hotel on September 14. This shocking tale includes accusations of assaulting a woman during what began as a seemingly innocent journey to catch a Red Sox game.

According to prosecutors, tensions flared after a dispute erupted at a hotel bar. Following a heated argument, Veneziano was allegedly locked out of their hotel room for half an hour, alternating between pleading for entry and hurling insults. When he finally gained access, things took a violent turn. Reports indicate that he reportedly pinned the woman to the bed, head-butting her, pouring water on her, and applying painful pressure to sensitive areas, seemingly in an effort to inflict pain without leaving visible marks.

As the situation escalated, Veneziano allegedly dragged her back to the bed by her legs when she attempted to escape. The woman, fearing for her safety, eventually managed to contact the front desk at approximately 5:15 AM, requesting a separate room to distance herself from her alleged assailant.

Hotel security called the Boston Police Department after hearing her cry out, “You hurt me!” When officers arrived, the scene was chaotic. Hotel staff had already moved the woman to safety, while Veneziano was found near the elevators appearing nonchalant and dismissive, claiming the matter was “not worth talking about.”

Upon questioning, Veneziano allegedly provided his driver’s license and police chief card. He even texted the woman, “Please don’t get me in trouble. I didn’t say anything about u.” In a disturbing twist, after the incident, the woman underwent an MRI that revealed swelling and fluid in her shoulder, raising serious concerns about the extent of the abuse she endured.

Authorities also revealed a troubling pattern of behavior; Veneziano had previously been accused of stalking the same woman, boxing her in with his unmarked police cruiser following a breakup. Despite this, the couple had rekindled their relationship last summer, only for it to end in this shocking display of alleged violence.

Veneziano’s attorney, Paulo Corso, insisted no further contact of concern had been made since the incident, claiming he is a “pillar” in his community. But this scandal raises serious questions about the integrity of those in power and the protection of vulnerable individuals.

As this case unfolds, it highlights the disturbing reality of domestic violence and the complexities of relationships marked by control and fear. The community watches closely as a police chief's career hangs in the balance amidst these explosive allegations.