State Sen. Christoper "Kip" Bateman said his vote to override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a recent gun bill may have played a role in Soriano's dismissal.
SOMERVILLE -- State Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman said Friday that his decision to help override Gov. Chris Christie's veto of a gun bill may have been a factor in the move to appoint a new Somerset County prosecutor.
It was the first time Republicans voted to override one of the governor's vetoes. Bateman was one of three Republicans to help the Democratic-controlled upper house defeat the governor's veto of a bill in October to include police in the judicial process of deciding whether a person with a documented mental illness can get a gun permit, it was previously reported by NJ Advance Media.
Somerset County Prosecutor Geoffrey Soriano's last day was Friday. Michael H. Robertson, a former assistant U.S. District Attorney, will be sworn in to the post Monday at 3 p.m. in the Historic Courthouse's Ceremonial Room. Robertson has yet to be confirmed by the state Senate.
Soriano was relieved of his duties on Feb. 18 by Gov. Chris Christie after five years in the post. His first term had ended in October. Soriano has declined repeated requests for an interview.
Christie veto overridden for first time
"Geoffrey said he has no regrets," state Sen. Christopher "Kip" Bateman, who recommended Soriano for the job, said Friday. "He said it was the best job he has ever had. He'll be sorely missed. He did a good job. It's unfortunate what happened. That's politics.
"I'm sure that (his vote to override Christie's veto) might have played a role. The governor is tough. He has a long memory. I just hope my vote had nothing to do with it taking a good person out of office."
Soriano, who was a municipal prosecutor in Branchburg before being named county prosecutor, departs at a time when there have been calls to have a new investigation into the deaths of John and Joyce Sheridan. Their deaths have been ruled a murder-suicide, something the family and supporters question.
"As for being a Monday morning quarterback in the Sheridan (case), that's wrong," Bateman said. "You can't solve every case in 50 minutes like they do on television. I know the Sheridan are unhappy. They made it a cause to go after the prosecutor. I'm sure they're happy now."
Christie, when asked why he replaced Soriano, said he had lost confidence in the prosecutor, but would not elaborate as to why.
"I don't have any opinion on the Sheridan matter," Christie said. "It would be inappropriate for me to express one even if I did. I don't -- I'm a prosecutor. I haven't looked at any of the records, any of the autopsy reports, any of that stuff.
"I haven't looked at it, so it would be inappropriate for me to comment on it, and I replaced Prosecutor Soriano because I had lost confidence in him. ... That's what I told Senator Bateman when he called and asked and the answer's not going to change now."
New prosecutor served under Christie
Republican state Assemblyman Jack Ciattarelli said Soriano also suggested that politics may have played a role.
"Prosecutor Soriano said it best in his remarks, this is a political appointment which means politics can play a role," said Ciattarelli on Friday. "But in exiting, Geoffrey has continued to distinguish himself with dignity, class and grace."
Ciattarelli said he has known Soriano for more than 30 years and knows he "handled those cases to the very best of his ability with the best interest of the county always in his mind."
Robertson, a Basking Ridge resident and former Somerset County Superior Court law clerk, has spent past eight years as an assistant U.S. Attorney working out of the Newark office. He joined the U.S. Attorney's office while Gov. Christie was still overseeing the office as chief federal law enforcement officer in New Jersey.
Prior to that, Robertson was an assistant prosecutor in the Essex County Prosecutor's Office for three years. He earned his law degree from Hofstra University on Long Island in 2002.
Dave Hutchinson may be reached at dhutchinson@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @DHutch_SL. Find NJ.com on Facebook.