Hoboken Lieutenant Files Complaint Against Dir. of Public Safety

Hoboken Police Lt. Mark Competello has filed a pension fraud and misconduct complaint against Director of Public Safety Angel Alicea, alleging that Alicea was improperly collecting two salaries‚ and two pensions, from late July 2009 to February 2010. 

Alicea officially retired as a Union City police officer on Feb. 1, 2010, after 25 years and six months of service. He started working as director in Hoboken City Hall in July 2009. Alicea was appointed by former Mayor Peter Cammarano. Technically, Alicea has never officially been sworn in as director and makes $27,500 a year. 

Competello is arguing that Alicea should have been retired for at least six months before taking  a new position in the same field, arguing that Alicea therefore is holding the public safety position illegally. 

Alicea said in a phone interview on Wednesday night that he is not in violation of the law. He said that, because he took the position in Hoboken while on terminal leave in Union City, he did not take a new position. It's allowed, he said, to be a dual office holder. The terminal leave in Union City was a combination of unused vacation days and payments owed to Alicea by Union City. 

The only thing at risk in this situation is Alicea's pension. 

Alicea said he went from making around $115,000 annually to making $27,500. "You think I'd risk my pension for that?" He asked, adding "there's nothing illegal about it."

"Director Alicea was required to be retired not less than six months in order to legally accept the position of Director of Public Safety," Competello wrote in his complaint to Attorney General Paula Dow. 

Competello said he found out about the alleged violations when he was asked to look into the public safety director position in response to a state audit of the Hoboken  police department, which was released in February by the state. The audit questions the need for the position of Public Safety Director. 

Competello said he notified the chief and the rest of the police department about his findings in an internal memorandum, printed on the police department's letter head, on April 22. He sent his official complaint to the Attorney General on May 26.

Hoboken's Business Administrator, Arch Liston, responded: "We are fully aware of the allegation, we have corporate counsel reviewing it, we are communicating with the Division of Pensions, and we are trying to get clarification at this point." 

Alicea said he is not worried about the allegations, because he's acting legally. He said also that prior to accepting the position in Hoboken, he consulted with a pensions expert to make sure everything was in order.

"When I retired I already had the new position," Alicea said. "If I would've been offered it in February, I couldn't take it."

 The director said he will continue to do his job. 

Competello said the investigation is now out of his hands. "Whatever happens, happens," he said.