Ocean County Pays $550K To Settle Vicari Sex Harassment Lawsuit

TOMS RIVER, NJ - Ocean County has paid $550,000 to settle a sexual harassment lawsuit filed against Freeholder Director Joseph H. Vicari back in 2014, according to a report in app.com.

The settlement was a "business decision" by the county's excess insurance carrier to avoid possible protracted and costly litigation, County Counsel John C. Sahradnik said.

Rosemary Mennona, who was then the county's general supervisor of building services, named the longtime freeholder as a defendant in the sexual harassment and discrimination suit in April 2014. Vicari was the freeholder liaison to her department.

Mennona said in the suit that Vicari, "condoned or instructed" county contractor, Joseph M. Veni of JMV Consulting & Inspection Services in Brick, to engage in unwanted sexual advances, sexual harassment and sexual assault against her, which created a hostile work environment.

William A. Santos, a lifelong Republican who once supported Vicari in his re-election bids, told app.com that Vicari told him in 2013 to renew a $150,000-a-year, taxpayer-funded county contract to a Veni, a political ally and friend.

Vicari has said he never pressured Santos.

Veni and his firm, JMV Consulting and Inspection Service of Brick, were hired to oversee some county construction jobs and to fix mold problems. The annual contract was awarded to JMV since 2005. He was the only county contractor to be given his own office and used his county e-mail account to sell guns and conduct political business for Brick Republicans, according to the app.com report.

Vicari, 71,Shady Lane, Toms River, is seeking his 13th term on the freeholder board

Mennona, 53, Killarney Drive, Toms River, retired this summer shortly after the financial settlement was agreed upon in July, according to county records.

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Photo: Courtesy of Ocean County Government website