Hoboken Police Chief Sues Mayor, Claiming Personal Grudge
The chief filed a suit against Mayor Dawn Zimmer, claiming he is not being fairly compensated because the mayor allegedly blames him for an investigation into her father-in-law's hit and run death in 2005. The driver was never brought to justice.
Police Chief Anthony Falco is suing Mayor Dawn Zimmer, alleging that the mayor has undermined his authority because of a personal grudge against him.
Falco, who has been the chief of police since June 2009, filed a lawsuit, claiming he is not being treated fairly, doesn't know how many vacation days he's entitled to and that he was denied his uniform allowance ($1,300) as well as a "sick incentive" ($1,500) in 2012. The lawsuit, filed Monday in Federal Court in Newark is over the city's "failure to specify employment terms," according to the complaint.
"This withholding of at least $2,800 in compensation occurred without notice of any kind, and with no opportunity for the Chief to be heard regarding the matter," the complaint states.
One of the reasons for the alleged personal grudge, according to the complaint, is an unresolved hit and run accident in 2005 in which Zimmer's father-in-law died.
At the time of the incident, Falco was the head of the detective bureau at the police department. The driver of the car was never brought to justice.
"Upon information and belief, Zimmer blames Chief Falco personally for this failure," the complaint states.
While Zimmer declined to comment on the case, she said Wednesday, "I find it extremely unfortunate that Police Chief Falco has introduced my father-in-law’s tragic hit and run death into a lawsuit about his own compensation."
Chief Falco, reached on Wednesday morning, declined to comment.
"Mayor Zimmer’s animus toward Chief Falco has caused her to arbitrarily and unreasonably disregard the past practice between prior mayors and chiefs of police of providing the Chief with a document setting forth the terms of his employment," the complaint states.
Falco is being represented by attorneys Jason Orlando and John Bartlett. The chief is asking for $250,000 in damages.
The mayor has not yet been served with the papers.
Falco is a 42-year veteran of the police department and is scheduled to retire as chief next year, when he turns 65.
The rest of the officers in the police department received updated contracts after negotiations last year and have received a salary increase since. Falco, because he is not part of the bargaining unit, hasn't received a salary increase.
While the police and fire unions have completed contract negotiations in the past year, Hoboken's municipal workers have been without contracts for the last five years.
"Without an agreement, and in light of the City’s position that Chief Falco is not a member of any bargaining unit, the Chief does not even know the leave he is entitled to; whether and to what extent he is entitled to the insurance coverage and other benefits enjoyed by other senior officers," the complaint states, "or whether and under what circumstances he is entitled to overtime pay or other credit for excess hours worked."
recallbethmason
1:55 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Honestly a pretty disgusting thing for the chief of police to do....makes you wonder if he has been the leak in the police department all these years in regard to confidential matters that somehow got to h411, etc. this guy should be fired on the spot. Unprofessional and unethical on his part.
Andy
3:25 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
God this man has no shame. Overpaid and yet still believes he deserves more.
Hobokenite
8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Ridiculous. Our police chief makes 90% of Ray Kelly's salary and he still wants more. And doesn't he live in public housing Church Towers too? Should someone who makes $180,000 a year be living in public housing. I thought he was supposed to enforce the law not break it. Pretty low on his part as well making it personal. I'm quite disgusted. In 2009, I personally saw firemen ripping up Dawn Zimmer for Mayor literature and policemen letting hit happen. They are not getting away with it this time around.
Mr.budget
8:06 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
and the Road Runner was being chased through the city by the Coyote
bryan m
8:00 pm on Wednesday, March 20, 2013
Hopefully the mayor will finally have to pay for her sins and her plotting will be revealed
ThisMeansWar
8:06 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
The guy is arguably the most overpaid law enforcement officer in the US of A at $180k, lives in subsidized housing anyway, and sticks his hand out for overtime anyway - and you're worried about Zimmer's sins and plotting?
You just can't make this stuff up.
PantryPride
8:06 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
With all due respect, Anthony Falco is working a public servant's job without the specific terms and requirements of his position. Not only is he doing his job extraordinarily well but he is getting nothing but opposition from the Mayor. Chief, you paid your dues and now your owed not only the terms of your inglorious but our respect and an explanation from the Mayor. Her behavior is despicable
Ojo Rojo
8:32 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
With all due respect, the man is a manager and doesn't get OT. He is grossly overpaid and doesn't need more money. This is nothing but a money grab and personally I hope the city sends him the bill for their legal fees.
Eric
9:28 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Why $250,000 if his problem is over $2800?
Eric
9:28 am on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I need to get a job with the city! Endless sick days, personal days, vacation days, benefits, pensions, health coverage, easy hours, tax payer subsidized housing for life if you know the right people and apparently you can sue the city for a fortune over any perceived slight.
Mr.budget
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Go take a civil service test, score well enough to get called. Wait about 5 years to get called, snce the Mayor has only hired 5 cops in 5 years. Then go through the back ground, Psych, and Physical. Not done yet, then spend 22 weeks at the Aademy, depending on which one they send you too. Almost done, then hits the streets and deal with cry babies like you, whining about why they get this and get that, and what about me, in between getting spit at, punched at and god knows what else. Now go get your Shine Box Eric
Eric
2:30 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
You have to admit Mr. B, you have it way better than most people... Waaaaaaaay better.
@fawn liebowitz
3:24 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
MB - Here's one for 'ya... Go take a job in a private company and be alllotted a specific amount of sick and vacation days per year. Didn't use them? Too bad, you lose them. Then, be subject to specific goals set for you and be reviewed annually against those goals. Didn't meet them? No guaranteed raise for you-- three to four percent if you're lucky. Healthcare benefits? Sure, if you pay a good chunk of your pay into your benefits and then meet your annual (high) deductible. Oh, and then you want to retire... Sorry, no cash-out for your boat. Maybe we'll take you to lunch and get you a cake. If Falco thought he was being treated so unfairly, he should have quit and gotten a new job. People do it all the time. It's called "real life".
Mr.budget
9:01 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
How well I have it is based on the hard work and smart business choices I have made. As for you Dawn, I didnt choose to work in the private sector, I chose to open a business and work for myself. If you chose to work in the private sector and are not happy with that, well thats on you. I defend the officers because I have seen what they do on occassion, and think about the things they may have to do. When people go to work in the private sector they dont have to worry about being bitten by a person who is infected with disease, private sector people dont get pricked with infected needles, and private sector people dont run into collapsing buildings. So if they get a perk here and there, I say what the heck. I am going to end this conversation with this, Hoboken did not come to your previous home and knock on your door and beg you to move here. You moved here for whatever reason. If things are not to your liking, you can always go back !!
Eric
11:44 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
I don't have a problem with cops, what idiot doesn't know what they go through?? What I object to is not a few perks, it's gaming the system. It's the "F you pay me" attitude. Everytime a Cop retires in this town, especially the guys at the top, they cash in saved up vacation time and God knows what else to a 6 figure sum on top of it all. How is that fair to the taxpayers who have to foot the bill? Living in Hoboken is going to make me vote Republican, and I really can't stand 90% of the Republicans out there because they love to legislate that bible thumping morality BS. Every year that passes, what I see what is left over after paying my personal taxes, my corporate taxes and it pisses me off more each year. In fact, I think Christie needs another term.
Hoboken invited us and now we're here. You don't own this city, it doesn't matter if you were born here or not. Does the city take State and Federal funds and programs? Too bad, it's my town too, we paid for it. Suck it up tough guy because we aren't going ANYWHERE. If you don't like it, go kick rocks.
Jay Rattigan
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
I would love to know what the Chief is due in terminal leave. I bet it is north of $200k. That is his boat check. This lawsuit is absurd. Why does he feel entitled to $250K over a dispute involving $2800 in compensation?
Mr.budget
3:37 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013
yawn
Vicki Fillet
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Is this the best we can do for Hoboken? The police chief worrying about his sick days! Management does not get sick days!
Mr.budget
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
where did my post go?
Bokenlvr
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
That's the way it used to be - old times die hard - its dying, but dying hard, no doubt. The tide is turning, old guard. Can't stop it, no, no no.
@fawn liebowitz
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Test
@fawn liebowitz
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
This guy should be embarrassed. He is a disgrace to hardworking, decent policmen/women everywhere. How much do you think he will cash out for when he retires after 42 years? How many "unused sick days" will there be waiting for him? If anyone knows of a legal defense fund for Zimmer, let me know-- I'll write a check.
@fawn liebowitz
1:20 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
And he lives in Church Towers??!! This is the stuff that makes me sick to my stomach.
Smokestack
2:30 pm on Thursday, March 21, 2013
Doesn't the Police Chief have a union rep? How can the Mayor be responsible for his confusion over his own pay?
This is suspicious on so many levels. Look at the timing of this announcement and the way Hoboken Patch puts more importance on this story than the very important news about conviction of the corrupt IT guy at City Hall. Who was behind that guy? Why not focus on that story? But no, that might be too revealing.
But come on now, for the Police Chief to launch an attack on a popular mayor during an election year seems to be just another sign of desperation on the part of the old guard that has lost control of the local political machine. I am sure there will be more to come. These corrupt officials will stop at nothing. Meanwhile, Zimmer is doing a great job. She's keeping focused on the real issues that affect us all. Go Dawn Go!!!
Jazzgirl
1:11 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
From my understanding, Chief Falco is not a member of the bargaining unit and is therefoe not entitled to its terms. Further, he has been a municipal employee for 42 years. I cannot believe he does not know the regs. Call me a cynic, but I smell a rat.
Manuel T. Ortega
1:11 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Disgraceful behavior. Bullying tactic. Given he is old Hoboken… likely feels Mayor Zimmer an interloper. Perhaps Falco should retire. Go fishin'. May all go well for Mayor Zimmer. Mayor, you are the best thing that's happen to Hoboken in my 63 years, a born and raised Hoboke-nite, former educator, living in CA, with mom still hang'n in there. Keep up the good works Mayor. To hell with the old, decayed guard. Miscreants.
Jazzgirl
9:01 am on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
Dear Jazzgirl:
I am so with you on this! Falco has a hell of a nerve bringing yet another baseless, frivolous lawsuit against the City of Hoboken via the Mayor. He's just another example of Hoboken's ridiculous largesse when it comes to spoiled civil servants. Those days are OVER! No more coddling from cradle to grave. The idea that this guy who's looking for even more money for his illustrious service has been living in Church Square Towers, a taxpayer-subsidized housing project, just like the Russo family is outrageous! Thanks again, Dave Roberts, for putting yet another grifter in a completely undeserved position!
PantryPride
3:34 pm on Monday, March 25, 2013
Listen, for those of you that think the tide is "CHANGING" in Hoboken, All I have to say is meet the new BOSS, same as the old BOSS. Like it or Leave it, this place will never change on either side of this playing field. The Chief works so hard that most of you don't even hear about crime in this city. Thank You HPD. And the Chief.
Sybilscavetroll
5:45 pm on Tuesday, March 26, 2013
This guy is a psychopath. Where is the humanity? He is shameful to inject a family tragedy into what is clearly a politically motivated lawsuit and publicity campaign. The timing of this announcement is telling. The same day as Ricciardi's "Guilty!" plea.
Wasn't Falco named as being on the receiving end of the mayor's hacked emails?
PantryPride
9:51 am on Friday, March 29, 2013
Troll, this woman is a psychopath that holds personal grudges towards public officials She has failed us in the public sector before. This man was born and raised here in Hoboken he has stood by this town through thick and thin. We owe him a debt of respect and gratitude for his devoted service to this town. She has this city on a hiring freeze for firefighters but buildings keep burning down. When will those blinded by propaganda see that this is merely a ploy for Zimmer to be a wolf in sheep's clothing. I'm born and raised and I know what all of you yup-yups think of me and what I think of you. But what you don't know is that this town was better before you all invaded it and the strong will survive and we will be here after you all move out to raise your families in better places.
Eric
1:41 pm on Friday, March 29, 2013
Pantry, who is going to pay for all of these new hires? You would have to raise taxes, and then people would bitch about how Zimmer didn't bring property taxes down. You have no idea what anyone thinks about you. How are you going to take a population of 10's of thousands of people from all over the country and the world as assume they don't like you because you grew up in Hoboken. That's idiotic. Complain all you want about all the newcomers, some probably are just like you, but I never heard anyone I know complain about the born and raised as a whole. If anything, there's some admiration because we love living here too and the born and raised are a major part of the character that makes Hoboken what it is.
Also, the budget in this town has been about $100 Million, give or take $10 Million. Who's paying most of the property taxes here? There hasn't been a reval in 25 years. My old landlady paid half the taxes for her brownstone than someone who bought a newer 1-bedroom apartment. You have a pretty good life here in Hoboken and you act like it's not because of all the people who moved here that it can afford the jobs, services housing and salaries those taxes pay for.
PantryPride
10:08 am on Thursday, March 28, 2013
Falco is not i repeat NOT one of the officials that received the emails according to the article on this page. Do your research.