City of Hoboken Prevails on Arezzo and Andriani Removal Federal Cases

Two more ongoing legal cases settled by the City of Hoboken with respect to Al Arezzo and Angelo Andriani. Thats a lot of A's if you know what I mean. Kudos to the Administration for standing their ground and sending a message to everyone else who might in the future wrongfully sue the Administration for wrongful termination when the cause for termination is anything but wrong. No more easy paydays for ethically challenged former employees looking to cash in on prior weak kneed Administrations that would prefer to keep legal fees low only to pay out settlements instead. No, this Administration prefers to stand its ground when it is right and therefore protect the taxpayer from future malfeasance. Read on and celebrate both justice and the protection of the Hoboken taxpayer....

CITY OF HOBOKEN PREVAILS ON AREZZO 

REMOVAL AND ANDRIANI FEDERAL CASES

The New Jersey Civil Service Commission issued a Final Administrative Action upholding the City of Hoboken’s decision to terminate Alfred Arezzo as Construction Code Official.

“We are continuing with our search for a permanent construction code official and invite applications from all qualified individuals,” said Mayor Dawn Zimmer. “While the process can be lengthy and costly, the City will continue to vigorously defend itself to protect the interests of our community.”

Arezzo, who had served as City Construction Official, had been suspended following his refusal to attend mandatory sexual harassment training, interference with his subordinates’ attendance at the training and insubordinate behavior towards the City’s Business Administrator. Arezzo was terminated shortly after his suspension following his retaliatory destruction of City owned property, including the destruction of a laptop hard drive which contained information regarding public matters. Charged with insubordination, conduct unbecoming a public employee, misuse of public property and other sufficient cause, Arezzo’s termination was a result of the City’s continued efforts to ensure that all employees act in accordance with the high standards and expectations of both the City’s administration and its residents.

In upholding Arezzo’s termination, the Civil Service Commission noted his highly insubordinate behavior towards the City’s Business Administrator as well as the seriousness of destroying City-owned property. Echoing the City’s own concerns, the Commission concluded that “such an egregious act by a long term employee in a position of public trust cannot be tolerated and is worthy of removal.”

The Final Administrative Action is available on the City website: www.hobokennj.org/docs/corpcounsel/Civil-Service-Commission-Final-Administrative-Action-Arezzo-v-Hoboken.pdf

In addition, the Honorable William J. Martini, United States District Court Judge for the District of New Jersey, yesterday dismissed the federal case filed by former Police Lieutenant Angelo Andriani against the City of Hoboken, the Hoboken Police Department, Mayor Dawn Zimmer, Police Chief Anthony Falco, and Police Captain Edimiro Garcia. The Judge dismissed all claims of discrimination and retaliation asserted by Andriani.

The court order is available on the City website: www.hobokennj.org/docs/corpcounsel/Andriani-v-Hoboken-Order.pdf

Mr. Arezzo and Mr. Andriani are each involved in additional ongoing litigation with the City.



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City of Hoboken Prevails on Arezzo and Andriani Removal Federal Cases