Former Ho-Ho-Kus Clerk Sues Town, Alleging Hostile Work Environment and Age Discrimination After Whistleblower Complaint
the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Ho-Ho-Kus, NJ—A new legal challenge has emerged against the Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus, centered on allegations of a hostile work environment and wrongful termination within the local police department.
Diane Cebulski, a former full-time police department clerk from Midland Park, filed a lawsuit in Bergen County Superior Court this week, claiming she was fired months after complaining about alleged misconduct and enduring a terrifying confrontation with Police Chief Michael Lacroix.
The Complaint: From ‘Stealing Time’ to the ‘Dark Side’
Cebulski, who was hired in 2021, alleges that she uncovered instances of other employees “stealing time” by performing work for another municipality while on the clock for Ho-Ho-Kus.
The lawsuit highlights a culture where employees who had previously sued or “blown the whistle” were allegedly referred to as being on the “dark side” by Chief Lacroix. Cebulski claims that when she jokingly asked the Chief if he thought she had joined the “dark side,” he responded with a non-joking threat that she would be fired if she did.
The Alleged Confrontation
The core of the hostile work environment claim stems from an incident in January 2024. After Cebulski took a lunch break with a sergeant who had filed legal documents against the town, Chief Lacroix allegedly texted her about the “sit-down lunch.”
According to the suit, when Cebulski went to clarify the issue with the Chief:
“The Chief pointed to the Captain’s office and loudly said, ‘Get in there.’ Then he very loudly and violently slammed the door and yelled ‘Now I am f–king pissed.’ He continued to berate Plaintiff using profanity and a very loud voice… Plaintiff felt extremely threatened by being screamed at in a closed environment with two very large armed officers, one of which (the Chief) was totally out of control and blocking her only means of exit.”
The lawsuit states that Cebulski was so “shaken up” by the exchange that she immediately took the rest of the day off. While the Chief later apologized, the suit alleges Cebulski felt discriminated against for months afterward.
Wrongful Termination and Age Discrimination Claim
The termination occurred in December 2024, just three weeks before Christmas. According to the suit, borough officials told Cebulski she was being terminated but gave her no specific reasons, despite her seven years of service and her mention of having three children and a college tuition bill.
Cebulski alleges the firing was an act of discrimination based on age, noting that a younger colleague was eventually promoted to her position. The lawsuit seeks both punitive and compensatory damages and demands a jury trial.
Town Silent on Allegations
The Borough of Ho-Ho-Kus has not publicly commented on the lawsuit. The complaint alleges that when Cebulski raised concerns about what she believed were policy or legal violations, her work environment immediately became hostile.
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Is it me or is this happening with more frequency…?