John Maldjian, 54, of Rumson, was charged Sunday with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and violating NJ Gov. Murphy’s coronavirus order prohibiting public gatherings
RUMSON, NJ — The New Jersey Attorney General identified the Rumson man who police say hosted a gathering of about 30 people Saturday evening at his Blackpoint Road home, to listen to a live performance of Pink Floyd hits — at the height of the coronavirus epidemic, and when healthy adults are being urged to social distance and avoid large gatherings.
John Maldjian, 54, of Rumson, was charged Sunday by Rumson police with reckless endangerment, disorderly conduct and two separate charges related to violating Gov. Murphy’s emergency orders not to have social gatherings. All the charges are disorderly persons offenses. He has also been charged with violating two Rumson borough ordinances.
And that’s not all: Charges for certain members to who attended the party are forthcoming, warned the Attorney General. Several audience members were disorderly and refused to disperse when asked, said Rumson police.
As Patch initially reported, Rumson police say that at approximately 8:19 p.m. Saturday evening, April 3, they were called to Maldjian’s home for a report of a large party with a band. Police say when they arrived, they discovered the homeowner, Maldjian, together with another man, playing acoustic guitars on the front porch of the home.
There were approximately 30 people, between the ages of 40 and 50, gathered on Maldjian’s front lawn and the adjoining street watching the performance, said police. Some had lawn chairs and alcoholic beverages.Subscribe
The concert, with two guitarists with microphones and amplifiers, also was being broadcast live on Facebook, police said.
“Despite the fact that police were on scene with flashing lights attempting to disperse the crowd, the band continued playing,” said the AG’s office in a statement. “It was not until a Rumson officer directly approached Maldjian that he stopped singing and playing. Maldjian then told his Facebook Live audience (he was streaming his performance) that he had to stop playing.”
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