Gary Donatello has been an Assistant Prosecutor at the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office for approximately ten years. Presently, Gary serves as the Chief of the Cyber/Financial Crimes Unit where he prosecutes crimes involving the internet and technology. As Chief, he also oversees investigations into criminal enterprises within the digital realm. He served five years in the Special Victims Unit, seeking justice for victims of sexual violence and child endangerment. He has also served as the prosecutor for all Megan’s Law proceedings in Bergen County. Throughout his career, Gary successfully tried a number of cases to verdict involving crimes such as: homicide, desecration of human remains, arson, firearms-related crimes, kidnapping, impersonation, forgery, sexual assault, aggravated assault, endangering the welfare of a child, and the sale of large quantities of narcotics. He is most proud of his zealous advocacy on behalf of the citizens of Bergen County and all victims of criminal violence.

Prior to joining the Prosecutor’s Office, Gary served as an attorney for a large law firm representing municipal entities in general liability litigation. He served as a judicial law clerk for the Honorable Mark M. Russello, J.S.C. in the Superior Court of New Jersey, Law Division, Bergen County vicinage. While earning his J.D. from Seton Hall University School of Law, he concentrated in Intellectual Property Law. Gary graduated from the University of Delaware with a Bachelor of Arts degree in Political Science and Communication with a minor in History. He is a certified civil mediator recognized by the State of New Jersey. He has authored published legal commentary which continues to be cited in academic journals across the United States and Europe.

Gary is a passionate instructor at the Law & Public Safety Institute in Mahwah, New Jersey where he lectures new and experienced law enforcement officers. The topics he instructs, and has instructed on in the past, include Arrest, Search, and Seizure law (Constitutional Law), Use of Force, Conducted Energy Devices, Megan’s Law, and Victim/Witness Procedure. Recognizing different styles of learning, Gary incorporates various teaching techniques in his instruction. He previously served as the chair of the BCPO Continuing Legal Education (CLE) committee, where he oversaw office-wide instructional training on the ever-changing nature of our criminal laws.

Gary is the second-longest serving member of the APANJ, having first been elected as a Trustee statewide in 2017. In 2022, he assumed the role of APANJ Secretary, where he continues to serve. He currently chairs the APANJ CLE Committee, where he is always in search of timely, relevant, and exciting educational opportunities for its members. He also co-chairs the APANJ Diversity & Inclusion Committee, jointly administers APANJ digital media initiatives, and remains an active member of the Pension committee.