Fired Ocean Co. contractor must pay own legal defense
By Erik Larsen, Asbury Park Press, N.J. | |
McClatchy-Tribune Information Services |
The contractor,
On
"
The question of whether the county would have to represent Veni was raised during public comment at the meeting Wednesday afternoon.
Mennona claims in her suit that Vicari was aware of the physical and emotional sexual harassment that she suffered at the hands of Veni, but that Vicari did nothing about it and allowed "his close personal friend Defendant Veni to sexually assault and harass" her.
Ryan said he wondered why Vicari didn't deserve the same fate as his "good friend" and he hoped to be the one to terminate Vicari from county government service at the polls in November.
Vicari said it is important to clarify that Veni is no friend of his.
"Of course it's litigation and as I have said before, there is absolutely no substance and it has nothing to do with me," Vicari said. "
Sahradnik advised the board that there should be no comment on the substance of what is pending litigation. However, Sahradnik explained county employees are subject to the legal protection of the county, which is covered through insurance. As a freeholder, Vicari is entitled to that protection but as a private contractor, Veni is not.
Ryan pressed Vicari on whether he would agree to spare the county the cost of his legal defense.
"
"I would pay personally, of course," replied Ryan, who owns a chain of seven funeral homes throughout
"But you would have insurance coverage?" Sahradnik asked.
"Unlike other people, I own my business and I earn my own money, not from the trough of the people," Ryan shot back.
Growing visibly irritated, Vicari also accused Ryan of grandstanding and that he was using the freeholder meeting to wage his political campaign.
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