Assault charge against Dehere

Monday, April 28, 2008

Jersey City school board member and former hoops star Terry Dehere faces a simple assault charge stemming from a dispute with a woman who identified herself to police as his girlfriend, authorities confirmed last week.

The woman filed an aggravated assault complaint against Dehere at the East District precinct on April 18, said Hudson County Prosecutor Edward DeFazio.

But a few hours after filing the complaint, the woman changed her mind and sought to withdraw it, DeFazio said.

Since the woman showed no signs of bodily injuries, the charges were downgraded to simple assault, a misdemeanor, DeFazio said.

To have the matter dismissed entirely, the woman has to appear in Jersey City Municipal Court and satisfy a judge she is dropping the complaint voluntarily, DeFazio said.

Dehere didn't return phone calls.

Owner of the Blue Ribbon at the Summit House restaurant, Dehere was a basketball star at St. Anthony's High School in Jersey City, Seton Hall University, and in the NBA.

Dehere, 37, has also donated money to support recreation projects in the city and is a developer of affordable housing.

KEN THORBOURNE