the staff of the Ridgewood blog
Oradell NJ, in a lawsuit filed this week, Oradell Police Sgt. Richard Liguori has accused the borough, the Police Department, and his supervisor, Lt. David Gangemi, of orchestrating a campaign to undermine his career and health. The allegations paint a picture of prolonged harassment, intimidation, and a toxic workplace culture within the department.
The Allegations
Liguori, 46, who joined the Oradell Police Department in 2003 and was promoted to sergeant in 2022, claims that Gangemi led a years-long effort to force him out of the department. According to the 97-page lawsuit, this effort included:
- Verbal and physical threats intended to provoke confrontations.
- False and defamatory accusations designed to damage Liguori’s reputation.
- A pattern of harassment that caused severe emotional and physical health issues, including cardiovascular disease.
The suit alleges that Gangemi, aware of Liguori’s susceptibility to heart complications, subjected him to relentless stress, leading to multiple surgeries and other health challenges.
Claims of Discrimination and Retaliation
Liguori argues that the borough and department violated the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination by targeting him due to his age and health condition. Additionally, he accuses them of retaliation under the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, asserting that his complaints about Gangemi’s behavior were ignored and instead met with further harassment.
The complaint describes Liguori as being scapegoated and ostracized, with his career reaching a “dead end.” The stress and humiliation, he says, have led to eating and sleeping disorders, night sweats, nightmares, and tarnished his professional reputation.
Internal Struggles Within the Department
The lawsuit sheds light on internal discord within the Oradell Police Department, alleging that:
- Gangemi is on a “dastardly path along the deviance trail” toward being promoted to chief of police.
- Efforts are underway to force the retirement of current Police Chief William Wicker to pave the way for Gangemi’s promotion.
- These moves are allegedly driven by financial motivations, such as saving taxpayer money by replacing senior officers with lower-salaried recruits.
Chief Wicker, who has led the department since 2017, is described in the suit as having “given up” on managing an “out of control” department.
The Impact on Liguori
Liguori contends that Gangemi’s promotion to chief would effectively end his career, leaving him with no chance for advancement and pushing him toward forced retirement. The lawsuit also accuses the department of fostering a hostile environment where Gangemi openly belittled and bullied Liguori in front of colleagues.
A History of Controversy
The lawsuit highlights a pattern of alleged mismanagement and controversial decisions within the Oradell Police Department. Gangemi, who has served for over 25 years, was promoted to lieutenant in 2022 despite what the suit describes as “serious deficits” in his professional conduct.
The suit also claims the borough and department failed to investigate Liguori’s repeated complaints of discrimination and retaliation.
Looking Ahead
The case has brought renewed scrutiny to the leadership and culture of the Oradell Police Department. As Liguori seeks unspecified damages for the harm he says he has endured, the lawsuit underscores the challenges of addressing workplace harassment and discrimination in public institutions.
Requests for comment from borough officials, Gangemi, and Chief Wicker have gone unanswered.
The legal battle will likely shine a spotlight on the department’s internal dynamics and could prompt broader discussions about accountability and workplace culture in law enforcement agencies.
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Sounds like the Village Of Ridgewood D P W
I personally have known Lt. Gangemi and his family my whole life. He is an outstanding police officer and is always respectable of everyone he has ever dealt with. It would be nice to do a deeper dive into the SGT. Liguori’s personnel file and find out his inadequacies before slandering someone else.
There are alot of inadequacies in the leadership of the Oradell Police Department. Had been that way for a long time