Statement from Mayor Zimmer Regarding Director Alicea
Yesterday, Public Safety Director Angel Alicea advised me that he had attended two meetings with Solomon Dwek, the confidential informant in Operation Bid Rig. These meetings occurred when he was a candidate for City Council on Peter Cammarano’s ticket in 2009. After the election, Peter Cammarano, with the approval of our State Fiscal Monitor Judy Tripodi, appointed Mr. Alicea to the position of Public Safety Director at a salary of $27,000 per year. Since Mr. Alicea was doing an excellent job in that position, he continued to serve at the same salary in my Administration.
He and I mutually agreed today that in light of Hoboken’s recent history and the fact that he had failed to disclose this information either publicly or to me, he could no longer serve effectively in his position as Public Safety Director. He therefore submitted and I have accepted his resignation. On behalf of the City, I thank him for his service to Hoboken.
“This is a difficult decision, but the best interests of Hoboken are my most important consideration. It has been an honor to serve the City of Hoboken as Public Safety Director,” explained Director Alicea.
I have written to U.S. Attorney Paul Fishman to request that his office make public all tapes, recordings, transcripts and other documents related to the Bid Rig investigation involving Hoboken public officials, their close associates, and family members. We have also submitted a corresponding Freedom of Information Act request to the Department of Justice.
My comment: The fallout from "Operation Bid Rig" continues. Who will be next? ◦
