Fired Palisades Park Administrator Sues for $5 Million, Alleging Defamation and Discrimination After Termination
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Palisades Park NJ, the political drama surrounding the controversial $1 million police trailer in Palisades Park is just one element of a larger legal battle. The former Borough Administrator, David Lorenzo, who was suspended and later terminated by the borough, has filed a significant federal lawsuit alleging defamation, retaliation, and discrimination against the municipality and its officials.
The $5 Million Defamation Claim
The primary federal lawsuit filed by Lorenzo seeks $5 million in damages. This major claim stems from what Lorenzo alleges were defamatory statements made by borough officials in news articles following his firing last year.
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The Allegation: Lorenzo claims these public statements severely damaged his reputation, causing him mental suffering and professional harm.
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Context: This lawsuit follows his termination, which came amidst the chaos surrounding the unused, $1 million temporary police trailer and the subsequent investigation into the mismanagement of public funds.
⚖️ The Pattern of Litigation: Retaliation and OPRA Disputes
Lorenzo’s $5 million defamation suit is not his only legal action against Palisades Park. His attorney has been an active presence in the ongoing disputes, particularly concerning the police trailer investigation:
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Retaliation & Discrimination: The federal lawsuit specifically alleges that Lorenzo was retaliated against and discriminated against by the borough, although the specific details of the alleged discrimination are not fully public at this time.
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OPRA Lawsuit: Lorenzo has filed a separate, second lawsuit against the borough, which is still pending. This suit alleges violations of the Open Public Records Act (OPRA), claiming the borough failed to comply with document requests.
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Conflict of Interest: Lorenzo’s attorney successfully forced one of the borough’s special investigation counsel firms, Kim, Lim & Partners, to withdraw from the trailer probe due to an alleged conflict of interest, stating the firm represented Mayor Chong “Paul” Kim as a personal client.
Background: A Decade of Involvement
David Lorenzo is a well-known figure in Palisades Park, having served as a five-term council member and a long-time member of the Planning Board before becoming Borough Administrator. His time in the administration was previously marked by legal activity, including:
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He was a defendant in a 2017 lawsuit filed by the former Police Chief alleging harassment and retaliation.
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In prior years, Lorenzo was heavily involved in labor negotiations and budget cuts, once proposing layoffs to maintain a balanced budget, showing his long history of involvement in sensitive municipal issues.
The lawsuits filed by Lorenzo represent a serious financial and administrative liability for Palisades Park as they continue to grapple with the aftermath of the unused police trailer and internal political conflicts.
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