The Hoboken City Council okayed settling a whistleblower lawsuit with former Police Chief Anthony Falco for $650,000 at last week’s meeting.
By John Heinis/Hudson County View
Falco’s suit claimed former Mayor Dawn Zimmer and then-Public Safety Director Jon Tooke retaliated against him for supporting her political opponents, as well as testifying in the trial of former Public Safety Director Angel Alicea where he was ultimately awarded over a $1 million for discrimination, though the city appealed and settled for $700,000.
At the tail end of the meeting during new business, 4th Ward Councilman Ruben Ramos made a motion to introduce an emergency resolution that was seconded by 6th Ward Councilwoman Jen Giattino.
“There’s a resolution for an emergency to vote on a settlement agreement for a former employee of the City of Hoboken. And that was motioned and seconded, please call the vote on that,” said Council President Mike Russo.
Giattino asked if the reason for the emergency had to be read into the record, to which Corporation Counsel Brian Aloia provided a brief explanation that indicated taxpayers would not be on the hook for the costs.
“A federal court judge is waiting for our decision, as is the JIF [joint insurance fund], which is the insurance company that will be paying it, for lack of a better word, they have a meeting before our next meeting where they’re gonna approve it,” he said.
No one else at the meeting discussed the settlement during public session.
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