Spotswood settles with current, former police chiefs for $470K in harassment suit
SPOTSWOOD – The borough's former and current police chiefs will receive $470,000 in an out-of-court settlement of a lawsuit they filed against the borough, former mayor and former business administrator.
In addition to receiving $120,000, the settlement also called for Capt. Philip Corbisiero to be promoted to chief on April 1.
Corbisiero's annual salary as chief is $197,676. He will also receive 2% raises for the next three years, according to the settlement obtained by MyCentralJersey.com through an Open Public Records Act request.
Former Chief Michael S. Zarro Jr. will receive $350,000 in the settlement package.
In addition, the retired chief will receive payment for unused vacation and personal days accrued in 2021 and 2022.
The monetary awards will be paid by the Middlesex County Municipal Joint Insurance Fund on behalf of the borough.
The lawsuit, filed in January 2020 by Zarro and Corbisiero, alleged they were victims of harassment and a hostile work environment and accused former Mayor Edward Seely and former Business Administrator Dawn McDonald of misconduct.
More: Spotswood police chief, captain allege misconduct, harassment in lawsuit against borough
More: Spotswood lawsuit: 'Our police department doesn't like being told what to do by a woman'
More: Former Spotswood EMS director files lawsuit over 'hostile work environment'
In the settlement agreement, Zarro and Corbisiero dismissed all claims in the lawsuit against Seely and McDonald.
Still pending in court is a lawsuit McDonald filed in December against the two police officers, Seely, current mayor Jackie Palmer and council members Ted Ricci and Larry Kraemer.
The suit by McDonald, who was the borough administrator from January 2013 to Dec. 31, 2020, alleges gender discrimination, harassment, sexual harassment and hostile work environment.
McDonald, who also served as director of public safety, is accusing the borough officials of engaging "in a conspiracy" and acting jointly "to subject plaintiff McDonald to retaliatory acts and an intolerable, abusive and hostile work environment."
The police officers' settlement says they may reactivate any claims against McDonald if she does not dismiss her lawsuit or a motion of dismissal is not granted in court.
The officers' settlement also says their agreement should not be construed as an admission of any wrongdoing or liability on the part of the borough, Seely and McDonald or as an admission by the borough, Seely or McDonald of the validity of any of the officers' allegations.
In December 2019, the borough's former Emergency Medical Services director, David Nichols, filed a lawsuit alleging he was the victim of "retaliatory acts” by Seely, McDonald and other borough officials. That suit was dismissed in May 2021.
Email: sloyer@gannettnj.com
Susan Loyer covers Middlesex County and more for MyCentralJersey.com. To get unlimited access to her work, please subscribe or activate your digital account today.
This article originally appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Spotswood NJ settles with new, former police chiefs in harassment case
