Former Sewer Commissioner Admits Employees Did Work At His Mom's And Girlfriend's Homes

A former supervisor at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission admitted Wednesday that he allowed employees to do personal work for him while on commission time.

Anthony Ardis, 62, pleaded guilty to third-degree conspiracy to commit official misconduct. He will be required to pay restitution to the Commission in an amount to be determined and will be permanently barred from public employment.  

Under the terms of the plea agreement, the state will recommend Ardis be sentenced to 364 days in prison.

Sentencing is scheduled for July 15.

Ardis and other commission employees were charged with corruption five years ago. He admitted conspiring with shop forman Paul Bazela, 49, of Northvale, to have carpenters and other skilled workers to complete work on Ardis’ mother’s and girlfriend’s homes while on commission time.

Bazela pleaded guilty March 17 to third-degree theft. The state will recommend that Bazela be sentenced to three years in state prison.

Bazela was mayor of Northvale when he was tired, but was forced to step down as a result of the conviction.

The Commission is a state agency responsible for managing and regulating the collection and disposal of wastewater generated along the Passaic Valley River Basin. It services parts of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Hudson counties.

Email: daniel.hubbard@patch.com. Sign up for Patch N.J. email newsletters here.