A detective with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office filed a lawsuit on Wednesday claiming he endured severe retaliation and a hostile work environment after he reported misconduct within the agency.
Jason Gorto, currently a member of the county’s Homicide Task Force, states in court papers he was targeted for retaliation after reporting a supervisor who came in late and expected her subordinates to sign in for her.
Additionally, Gorto claims a fellow detective seated in a nearby cubicle spent hours watching TV on his cellphone while making personal calls to further a personal business, according to the suit, filed in Superior Court of Essex County.
Gorto claims he once found a dead mouse symbolic of a rat under his desk after he made complaints about violations within the department, the suit says.
A spokesman for the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office declined to discuss the lawsuit on Thursday, stating in an email the agency does not comment on pending litigation.
Gorto, a veteran law enforcement officer with over 25 years of experience, claims his troubles began when he reported fraudulent activities and policy violations by his colleagues.
Gorto refused to participate in signing in a sergeant, who was frequently late or absent, the lawsuit states. This refusal marked the beginning of a series of retaliatory actions against him, according to the lawsuit.
After bringing up concerns about his colleagues in the summer of 2023, Gorto “was written up or admonished for even...
On Editorial Writing It is true that opinion columnists offer a personal point of view. However, this is only the start of what should be an industry standard for those professional opinion writer...