Key Takeaways:
– Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso has resigned as per his plea agreement.
– He pleaded guilty to official misconduct and forgery charges.
– The mayor’s resignation comes after a racism scandal and public corruption charges.
– His company, Bonaccorso & Son LLC, is banned from public contracts for five years.
– Council President Angel Albanese will act as the interim mayor.
Headlines have been trending regarding the resignation of Clark Mayor Sal Bonaccorso. On Friday, Bonaccorso stepped away from his title, as part of a deal he accepted where his move was mandatory. This came as a result of criminal charges and a racism scandal that had taken over his political life
Plea Agreement Details
Bonaccorso, aged 64, appeared in the Superior Court in Union County, where he pleaded guilty. There were two significant charges against him. First, conspiracy to commit official misconduct in the third degree and second, forgery in the fourth degree.
In reaching a plea agreement, Bonaccorso agreed to pay a $15,000 fine distributed over three years. This fine will be in addition to his sentencing in February to probation. The agreement also demanded that he forfeit his right to hold any form of public office or employment in the future. Once he signed the court papers, this forfeiture became effective immediately.
The Mayor’s Checkered Past
Despite the legal struggles, Bonaccorso, a Republican, had won his seventh term in office in November. That is surprising considering it happened in the midst of public corruption charges and recordings of his racist rants. It was in November of 2023 that Bonaccorso first faced charges when his misuse of resources came under the spotlight.
The New Jersey Attorney General’s Office of Public Integrity & Accountability accused Bonaccorso of utilizing municipal resources for personal benefit. This included computers and fax machines, which he operated for his oil tank storage removal business, Bonaccorso & Son LLC, without the appropriate licensing. It was also alleged that he had township employees working for his business while receiving town payments.
Further Misconduct Exposed
In the process of their investigation, officials uncovered fraudulent signatures. These signatures, made to appear as if they were from an engineer, were found on permit applications. Attorney General Matthew Platkin said Bonaccorso’s guilty plea marked the end of a lost trust between the community and a long-standing figure of power.
Penalties for Bonaccorso & Son LLC
In light of these charges, his company now faces severe penalties. It is barred from placing bids for any public contracts or conducting any business with the state or political subdivisions for the next five years. The company also can’t conduct or contract to conduct, any storage tank removals for three years.
Courtroom Drama
During the court hearing, while addressing Judge Lisa Miralles Walsh’s questions, Bonaccorso made very few comments. However, he did acknowledge that the value of the township services he used was below $200 and he understands the charges he pleaded guilty to. After the hearing, he left the court avoiding the press. His lawyer issued a statement mentioning that the plea agreement was the best course for him and his family.
Interim Mayor Appointed
Following Bonaccorso’s resignation, Council President Angel Albanese has been appointed as acting mayor. The township’s Republican committee will soon submit candidates to fill the interim mayor role.
Racism Scandal
In 2022, Bonaccorso fell under heavy public scrutiny when NJ Advance Media exposed a conversation where he used slurs to describe Black people. Following this incident, Governor Phil Murphy insisted on his immediate resignation, however, Bonaccorso refused to leave his position at that time.
With the recent developments, it’s clear that this saga has come to an end. The actions of one man have had serious consequences, leading to significant shifts in Clark’s political landscape.