Arnold code officer, fire company president charged with felony assault, will remain on the job

An Arnold man who works as the city’s code enforcement officer and is president of one of the city’s fire companies is accused of beating another man during a brawl outside a social club late Saturday.

Albert Colelli Jr., 51, of the 200 block of Victoria Avenue was charged with a felony count of aggravated assault along with simple assault and disorderly conduct.

Colelli was released from custody on a $25,000 unsecured bond following his arraignment Thursday morning before District Judge Frank J. Pallone Jr.

He faces a preliminary hearing May 11.

In addition to being the city’s code enforcement officer, he is president of Arnold Volunteer Fire Company No. 1.

The other man involved in the fight, Mario Ciuffoletti, 71, of the 200 block of Vista Drive in Oklahoma Borough, was charged with misdemeanor counts of simple assault and disorderly conduct. His hearing before Pallone is scheduled for May 18. According to the borough’s website, Ciuffoletti is a member of Oklahoma’s planning commission.

Police wrote in a criminal complaint that officers were dispatched to the Arnold No. 1 Fireman’s Club in the 1700 block of Fifth Avenue at midnight Saturday for a report of a fight.

Officers said Colelli had red marks around his neck and a cut on his arm, according to the complaint.

Ciuffoletti had swollen, open wounds on his forehead and temple and was bleeding from the mouth, police said.

Both men refused medical treatment, according to the complaint.

Video from a city surveillance camera at 17th Street and Fifth Avenue shows Colelli following Ciuffoletti to his vehicle across the street after leaving the fireman’s club, police said.

Police said Colelli “continues to aggressively confront Ciuffoletti” until they begin scuffling, with each man grabbing the other by the neck.

The video shows Colelli pulling Ciuffoletti’s shirt up over his head and punching the man in the side of the head four times before kneeing him in the head twice and throwing him to the ground, the complaint said.

Wally Gouza, chief of fire company No. 1, said Colelli has been suspended from his post as president.

“Any time a firefighter or officer faces a serious charge like this, they are put on indefinite suspension until the judicial system runs its course,” Gouza said. “If he is acquitted of these charges, he will be more than welcome to return.”

Mayor called for suspension

Arnold Mayor Joe Bia II said he contacted city officials by email the morning after the incident and suggested that Colelli be suspended without pay pending the outcome of his case.

“I made my recommendation, but I was overruled,” the mayor said Thursday.

No city officials were available Thursday to say how much Colelli is paid. A copy of the 2022 budget posted on its website shows a $33,228 annual salary for the code enforcement department, which appears to have only one employee.

On Wednesday, Councilman George Hawdon, who is responsible for overseeing the code enforcement department, said he could not comment on the criminal charges against Colelli.

He said city officials planned to meet with labor attorney Robert McTiernan of Tucker Arensberg, and that a statement would be released after Colelli’s arraignment Thursday about whether the felony charge would result in any immediate disciplinary action.

Hawdon and City Clerk Mario Bellavia did not return several messages seeking comment Thursday after the decision.

McTiernan said he is legally bound to not comment on the advice he provides city officials.