2 Caldwell Cops Settle Lawsuits Against Chief, Town: Reports

CALDWELL, NJ — A pair of police officers in Caldwell have settled lawsuits against their chief and the township for $240,000, reports say.

Jessica Luszcz and Candice Marinaro will get about $100,000 each. Their lawyers will get about $20,000 each, NJ.com reported. (Read the full article)

According to The Progress, which reported on the agreements last month, the agreement came after court-ordered settlement talks in September. (Read the full article)

The officers had alleged in separate lawsuits that Caldwell Police Chief James Bongiorno violated their civil rights and created a hostile work environment by making lewd sexual comments about them to other officers.

Bongiorno and borough officials didn’t admit to any wrongdoing or liability in the settlements, NJ.com reported.

Luszcz filed her lawsuit last year, claiming that Bongiorno made remarks about her including:

• "She has great boobs."
• "I would love to do dirty things to her."
• "She has to be a freak in bed."

At the time, Caldwell borough attorney Gregory Mascera called Luszcz's lawsuit against Bongiorno "meritless."

“Anyone who knows Chief Jim Bongiorno knows that the comments attributed to him can be only fabricated fantasy,” Mascera stated.

Marinaro, who was commended for her role in a 2011 child pornography arrest involving the owner of a Livingston security company, also claimed that Bongiorno harassed and discriminated against her by making crude sexual remarks.

A internal CPD investigation cleared Bongiorno of Marinaro's accusations in 2017, finding them to be "without merit." The investigation cost Caldwell taxpayers $11,000, The Progress reported.

Caldwell Mayor John Kelley offered a statement to The Progress about the settlements:

“The borough in conjunction with their insurance provider made a business decision to settle the claim rather than deal with the continuation of the significant and ruinous level of legal fees… The Borough of Caldwell has complete confidence in Chief Bongiorno, a great leader, family man and true professional.”

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