Oradell, NJ – A seasoned sergeant from the Oradell Police Department has initiated legal proceedings against his superiors, alleging that his whistleblowing on internal misconduct brought about retaliation that has adversely affected his health. Sgt. Richard Liguori, who has dedicated over 20 years to the department, filed his lawsuit on November 25 in the Superior Court of Bergen County. He cites violations of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination and the Conscientious Employee Protection Act, claiming that his actions in reporting wrongdoing led to a campaign against him to drive him from his police role.
The defendants in the case include the Borough of Oradell, the police department, and various police officials. Liguori alleges that due to his complaints about inappropriate behaviors and actions within the force, he became the target of ongoing harassment orchestrated primarily by his lieutenant. This retaliation, he claims, included both direct confrontation and discreet measures meant to undermine his position and stress him mentally and emotionally.
Liguori’s legal complaints detail several specific incidents where the lieutenant allegedly acted against him. These include instances where the lieutenant purportedly pressured other officers to conduct themselves unprofessionally and targeted Liguori directly with defamatory statements meant to tarnish his reputation among peers. One cited example alleges that the lieutenant manipulated others to issue unnecessary traffic summonses, and when Liguori intervened, he faced intensified hostility designed to isolate and belittle him.
The ongoing strife and hostile work environment, Liguori argues, have not only impacted his career but significantly worsened his cardiovascular health. Over 40 and managing a heart condition, Liguori claims that the stress induced by these workplace issues has directly contributed to the decline in his health—a point he emphasized as both age and disability discrimination.
Despite his repeated efforts to address these issues internally, Liguori states that his complaints were systematically ignored by the department and the borough, prompting no investigation or corrective actions. This lack of response, according to Liguori, highlights a broader systemic failure within Oradell’s administration to protect employees who lawfully report misconduct.
As for the legal redress, Liguori seeks compensatory damages for the emotional distress and professional damages he has endured, along with punitive damages against those implicated in the alleged retaliation. More broadly, his lawsuit seeks to hold the borough accountable and push for substantial changes in how whistleblower complaints are managed, aiming to ensure better protection and support for employees in similar situations in the future.
As of now, representatives from the Oradell Police Department and the Borough Administrator Edward Hynes have remained silent on the matter, offering no comment on the ongoing lawsuit. This case not only highlights significant concerns about workplace culture in law enforcement but also puts a spotlight on the protection (or lack thereof) provided to those who stand up against internal corruption and wrongdoing.
Thus, as Sgt. Richard Liguori’s case moves through the courts, it continues to raise critical questions about justice, ethics, and health in the workplace, which will be closely watched for its implications on whistleblower protections and organizational culture within public service sectors.
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