NJ Transit Detective Files Lawsuit Alleging Harassment, Retaliation, and Misconduct in Long-Standing Culture of Discrimination

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Newark NJ, A detective in the New Jersey Transit Police Department has filed a lawsuit alleging racial harassment, workplace retaliation, and obstruction of justice by his supervisor — the latest in a troubling pattern of discrimination and misconduct accusations facing NJ Transit in recent years.

🚨 Allegations of Harassment and Retaliation

Detective Brian Lee, a Black law enforcement officer who joined NJ Transit in 2014 and was promoted to detective in 2020, claims he was subjected to years of harassment by John Sullivan, a white supervisor overseeing the detective bureau. According to the lawsuit filed in Essex County Superior Court, Sullivan engaged in:

• Public humiliation and yelling in front of colleagues and federal partners

• Micromanagement, tracking Lee’s movements on and off duty

• Blocking inter-agency cooperation, including with the FBI and NYPD

• Retaliation after Lee reported concerns to higher-ups

Lee alleges that after he reported Sullivan’s conduct to the Office of Equal Employment Opportunity and Affirmative Action (EEO) in July 2024, Sullivan filed three Internal Affairs reports against him, triggering placement on an “early warning system list.”

⚖️ Claims of Unequal Treatment

The suit claims that Lee was treated less favorably than white detectives with regard to compensation, opportunities, and workplace privileges. It also outlines unsafe directives issued by Sullivan, including an alleged order to notify next of kin in another state without local police backup, potentially jeopardizing Lee’s safety.

Sullivan’s alleged misconduct included issuing illegal orders and undermining inter-agency collaboration, crucial for regional security and investigations.

🧾 A Troubled History at NJ Transit Police

The lawsuit points to a broader pattern of misconduct within NJ Transit, citing at least 15 similar cases over the last four years involving allegations of:

• Sexual harassment

• Racial discrimination

• Retaliation against whistleblowers

Notably, NJ taxpayers have paid over $6.5 million since 2022 to settle related lawsuits. Former NJ Transit Police Chief Joseph Bober was previously at the center of two major discrimination lawsuits, one of which resulted in a $5.8 million settlement.

🧑‍⚖️ Legal and Public Response

Attorney Christopher D’Alessandro, representing Lee, emphasized the systemic issues within the NJ Transit PD:

“Detective Lee is exactly the type of law enforcement officer New Jersey needs; dedicated, honest, highly competent, and focused on public safety. When he did the right thing and formally complained… he was immediately subjected to harsh retaliation.”

“Until the state of New Jersey takes affirmative steps to root out corrupt and discriminatory practices… agencies such as NJ Transit will continue to accrue one lawsuit after another.”

Despite multiple complaints, Sullivan remained in his leadership role until his reassignment in February 2025 and retirement in May 2025 with a $92,000 annual pension. Thirty days after his departure, the EEO office closed Lee’s complaint, citing lack of substantiation — a decision that Lee and his attorney are challenging.

📣 Call for Reform

Lee’s lawsuit, bolstered by a long history of settlements and misconduct within NJ Transit, is prompting renewed calls for sweeping reforms, leadership changes, and independent oversight of law enforcement agencies in New Jersey.

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