Discrimination Suit Heads to Litigation After Council Rejects Settlement

Hoboken City Council voted Monday to reject the proposed settlement of a discrimination lawsuit brought by its former public safety director, city spokesman Juan Melli said.

The 5-2 "nay" vote — Terry Castellano and Michael Russo were the lone council members who voted to settle – means the case will head to litigation on Jan. 2, 2014. 

Last week, a Hudson County jury found Angel Alicea, the city's first Hispanic public safety director, had been discriminated against by the city and awarded him $440,000 in back pay.

Alicea is also seeking punitive damages from the city on top of the back pay.

The Jersey Journal reported Friday that the city had reached a tentative agreement with Alicea on an undisclosed sum it would pay him in punitive damages, but that apparently fell apart by the time of Monday's vote.

Melli declined to comment further about the case due to the pending litigation.

Alicea resigned in April 2011 and filed suit against the city and Mayor Dawn Zimmer later that year alleging he was forced from his job due to his Puerto Rican heritage and his efforts to report illegal drug use within the Hoboken Police Department. 

While a jury found the city had discriminated against Alicea, Zimmer, by a 7-1 vote, was not found personally liable.