Controversies in Clark: See The News Stories About The Mayor and Council's Leadership and Governance
There have been many troubling news stories surrounding the leadership in Clark over the past few years.
Clark, N.J. Mayor Salvator Bonaccorso charged with operating illegal business out of township office after racial slurs investigation
“While acting in his official capacity as mayor, Bonaccorso operated his landscaping and illegal tank removal business out of his township office, utilizing municipal resources,” said New Jersey Attorney General Matthew Platkin.
https://www.cbsnews.com/newyork/news/clark-mayor-salvator-bonaccorso-corruption-charges-illegal-business-racism-investigation/
Platkin says Clark will face a civil rights probe - New Jersey Globe
Attorney General Matthew Platkin says the Division on Civil Rights has opened a formal investigation to see if Clark municipal officials and the local police department violated New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination after Mayor Sal Bonaccorso and top police officers had used “racist, sexist, and antisemitic slurs when discussing hiring practices and police actions.”
https://newjerseyglobe.com/state-government/platkin-says-clark-will-face-a-civil-rights-probe/
N.J. cops caught using racial slurs argue they can’t be fired
In November, Attorney General Matthew Platkin called for Chief Pedro Matos and Internal Affairs Sgt. Joseph Teston to be fired, as he released a scathing report excoriating township officials for covering up secret recordings that captured the pair and Mayor Sal Bonaccorso making racist comments.
https://www.nj.com/union/2024/04/nj-cops-caught-using-racial-slurs-argue-they-cant-be-fired.html
‘God knows what they are doing.’ Clark Township racism scandal unresolved a year after revelations
Secret recordings captured the mayor and police brass using racial slurs. A long-promised investigation still hasn’t concluded.
https://www.nj.com/news/2023/04/god-knows-what-they-are-doing-clark-township-racism-scandal-unresolved-a-year-after-revelations.html
Prosecutor’s office takes over police department after allegations of misconduct
The Clark Police Department is the third the Union County Prosecutor’s Office has taken over since June.
https://www.nj.com/union/2020/07/prosecutors-office-takes-over-police-department-after-allegations-of-misconduct.html
‘Embarrassed and Ashamed:’ NJ Mayor Under Fire for Racist, Sexist Comments Apologizes
Bonaccorso called his language “hurtful and insensitive…it was wrong. I’m embarrassed and ashamed to have spoken that way about a race of people. I have learned, and I have changed and it will not happen again,” he said in a video posted to YouTube
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/embarrassed-and-ashamed-nj-mayor-under-fire-for-racist-comments-apologizes-in-video/3632890/
Attorney General Charges Clark Mayor with Falsifying Records, Forgery, and Official Misconduct - Insider NJ
Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso Faces Charges Related to His Alleged Use of Township Property and Employees to Run His Business and Alleged Filing of False and Fraudulent Permit Applications to Improperly Remove Hundreds of Underground Storage Tanks Complaint Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA) today announced the filing[...]
https://www.insidernj.com/attorney-general-charges-clark-mayor-with-falsifying-records-forgery-and-official-misconduct/
Clark whistleblower sues township as racism scandal reaches third year without resolution
The suit represents the latest salvo between former police Lt. Antonio Manata and Clark Township.
https://www.nj.com/news/2023/07/clark-whistleblower-sues-township-as-racism-scandal-reaches-third-year-without-resolution.html
Clark, NJ police union vote ‘no confidence’ in mayor over racist comments
"His words reflect an attitude which has no place in our society, and more importantly, no place in a position of leadership nor elected office. We believe his disdain for people based on their gender or the color of their skin to be of the utmost concern and counterproductive to the very essence of the principles of our PBA and our profession,"
https://nj1015.com/clark-nj-police-union-vote-no-confidence-in-mayor-over-racist-comments/
Whistleblower Files Lawsuit Over Alleged Retaliation for Tape of NJ Mayor’s Racist Comments
The retired Clark Police Lieutenant who recorded racist and sexist remarks by Clark’s mayor says prosecutors in New Jersey have dropped the ball. “The handling of the investigation is lacking. They were in possession of evidence that showed racism and gender discrimination and they did nothing,” said Antonio Manata. Manata claims the Union County Prosecutor’s Office, now led by William…
https://www.nbcnewyork.com/news/local/whistleblower-sues-nj-prosecutors-office-alleging-retaliation-for-tape-of-mayors-racist-comments/3636528/
