Vineland mayor sued by laid-off police investigator, political retaliation claimed
VINELAND — Mayor Anthony Fanucci is well into his second term of office, but a recent lawsuit by a former city employee is reviving some political drama left over from his successful 2020 re-election campaign.
The lawsuit, filed in September in Cumberland County Superior Court, claims police investigator Fernando Castillo was laid off in retaliation for campaigning for another mayoral candidate. The plaintiff ran candidate Jeffrey Riggione's mayoral campaign in 2020, the lawsuit states.
The lawsuit alleges that employment rules and policies were manipulated to expose Castillo to removal, while at the same time preserving jobs for other police employees and enabling new hiring. Castillo was laid off effective May 10, 2021, according to the complaint.
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In one part of the lawsuit, Castillo alleges that on March 25, 2021 he was home after finishing his work day when his doorbell sounded. He opened the door to find Acting Police Chief Pedro Casiano and police Lt. Matt Brown.
The lawsuit states: “In front of the plaintiff’s daughter and in view of his neighbors, Acting Chief Casiano said, ‘I came to serve you with a layoff notice. I know you work tomorrow, but the city wanted this done immediately. Sorry.’”
The notice, the lawsuit states, informed Castillo that he was being laid off “for reasons of economy and efficiency from your permanent position of Investigator, Police Department.” Castillo had been an investigator since August 2017, and previously had a job as a clerk in the municipal court.
In the month before leaving his job, Castillo states he was ordered to train three people who would take over police investigator duties.
Fanucci declined to comment when asked about the lawsuit. The complaint, which was served on the city on Sept. 19, names Fanucci individually as a defendant as well as city government itself.
The Westmont law firm of Brown & Connery is representing the city. The attorney on the case, Andrew Brown, has not filed a response with the court as of Oct. 13.
Woodbury attorney Jeremiah J. Atkins represents Castillo.
“We feel strongly that Mr. Castillo is entitled to the protections and relief provided by law,” Atkins said. “We look forward to securing justice for Mr. Castillo, and we will have no further comment at this time.”
Castillo is seeking a jury trial on the claims under the N.J. Civil Rights Act. The lawsuit demands include compensatory, punitive, and statutory damages, including back and front pay. His former job paid about $36,000 annually, the suit states.
The lawsuit also claims that his attempt to obtain an investigator position with the Millville Police Department failed due to interference from Vineland. Millville is not a defendant in the case, however.
Joe Smith is a N.E. Philly native transplanted to South Jersey more than 30 years ago, keeping an eye now on government in South Jersey. He is a former editor and current senior staff writer for The Daily Journal in Vineland, Courier-Post in Cherry Hill, and the Burlington County Times.
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This article originally appeared on Vineland Daily Journal: Political retaliation claimed in layoff lawsuit against Vineland mayor
