A Clarkstown police detective may face criminal charges for allegedly setting off fireworks at his home on the Fourth of July.

State police are now investigating allegations that Detective Stephen Cole-Hatchard, who is also a Stony Point Town Board member, hosted a party with illegal fireworks. A reporter for the Journal News made the claims in an article. Cole-Hatchard says the article was retaliation for his criticism of another item written last month.

Stony Point police did not receive any complaints about the party. Cole-Hatchard says the investigation is unnecessary.

The Stony Point Police Department initially asked the Rockland County District Attorney?s Office to take over the probe. However, Rockland District Attorney Michael Bongiorno says since Cole-Hatchard has active cases with his office, it would be a conflict of interest. Bongiorno then asked the state police to take over the case.

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