More Women Level Accusations Against Montclair Town Manager

MONTCLAIR, NJ — Montclair’s town manager is facing a new accusation that he’s responsible for creating a toxic work environment that has cost the township some key employees over the years.

Last month, the Montclair Town Council voted to place Timothy Stafford on temporary paid administrative leave during a fiery meeting. Read More: Montclair Town Manager Put On Leave Amid Accusations

Montclair’s chief financial officer Padmaja Rao is among those leveling accusations at Stafford. She has since filed a gender discrimination and retaliation lawsuit against him, alleging that he is responsible for creating a toxic workplace at the top level of the town’s government, including a pattern of “bullying, verbal abuse and threatening behavior.”

Rao’s allegations were supported in an August internal report from Montclair's affirmative action officer, which concluded that Stafford had created a “hostile work environment” for the CFO, Montclair Local reported.

Stafford has now been named in another lawsuit from Juliet Lee, Montclair’s former deputy town clerk, who says that she retired early from her job due to verbal abuse, humiliation and harassment. Lee – who alleges in the suit that Stafford singled out women for abuse – is seeking punitive and compensatory damages and legal fees.

Lee is represented by Roosevelt N. Nesmith, the same attorney for Rao, reported Baristanet, which has spoken with other former employees who have complained about Stafford.

In a statement to NorthJersey.com, Stafford’s attorney disputed the latest allegations from Lee:

“Same law firm, similar ill-considered allegations and similar jocose claims as in the first. Just another example of a disgruntled former employee jumping on the proverbial litigation bandwagon, looking for a quick payout at the expense of Montclair residents.”

After learning about Lee’s lawsuit, Montclair Councilman Peter Yacobellis issued a statement about what he called a “concerningly narrow investigation” into the claims against Stafford.

“I was only able to work with Ms. Lee virtually because of the pandemic, a short while in 2020 after I took office. I found her to be incredibly warm, kind and helpful and it really upsets me to hear these allegations by now a second woman of color at Town Hall. [In October], the council passed what I consider a woefully insufficient resolution to put Mr. Stafford on paid administrative leave pending a concerningly narrow investigation into concerns that I had directly raised, in the press. The investigation authorized by the resolution doesn’t include looking into the affirmative action report concluding a hostile work environment for Ms. Rao nor the complaints raised in Ms. Rao’s suit.”

“Now with these revelations about Ms. Lee’s allegations, I think it prudent that we rescind that resolution and craft a new, much broader one to address what’s becoming a litany of complaints against Mr. Stafford,” Yacobellis said.

Rao and Lee aren’t the only Montclair community leaders who have complained about Stafford’s leadership style.

During last month’s town council meeting, Ann Lippel, a longtime advocate for senior rights and wellness in the township, was one of the people to speak about the allegations against Stafford. Read More: Mass Resignations Take Place On Montclair Senior Citizen Committee

“As a member of the Senior Citizens Advisory Committee, I had the misfortune of knowing that our town manager’s toxic behavior was a major factor in causing Katie York, the [former] director of senior services, to leave,” Lippel said. “Katie’s competence and leadership skills were unrivaled in her field, and our seniors have been diminished without her.”

EMAIL TO THE TOWN MANAGER

Stafford is also seeing criticism from some community members, including Tara Williams, an Essex County resident who told Patch that he gaslighted a complaint she made about the Montclair Police Department in 2018.

Williams shared the following email exchange she had with Stafford in February.

Sent: Wednesday, February 16, 2022 3:34 PM

Dear Township Manager Stafford,

Thank you for expediting my concerns, questions and requests.

I would like to follow-up to find out who has oversight into the Montclair Police Department's hiring, evaluation and training processes.

As you know, the Montclair Police Department's investigation based on my complaint that a Montclair police officer said that I essentially elicited a harassment incident in 2018 after I tried to report it yielded a not sustainable status.

This does not mean that it did not happen. It means that the MPD could not prove it happened. Considering the Blue Code of Silence, this ruling comes as no surprise to me.

But as an Asian American woman who has been harassed and harmed in Montclair and as Asian American women continue to get murdered by sick people, I worry that the Montclair Police Department will discourage me again from trying to file a police report if/when another incident takes place in its jurisdiction.

My questions:

>Why would the Montclair Police Department discourage me from filing a police report if an incident takes place in its jurisdiction?

>Can you or another Town Council representative monitor and/or audit the MPD's hiring, promotions and reporting processes? Based on the experience I cited above, I remain concerned that the MPD fails to report and break out data about incidents.

>Can you monitor the MPD's hiring practices? I can say that with 100% accuracy, the comment made to me about eliciting the harassment incident I tried to report was sexist/chauvinistic.

It exemplified unprofessional behavior/actions that appeared to be tolerated in this department. As such, I am concerned that the Montclair Police Chief fails to hire people who are women, LGBTQ-plus and trans. This lack of diversity contributes to a monolithic organizational culture, which produces employees who have narrow perspectives on incidents like the one I tried to report.

>This harms people in the Montclair community who acquire distrust in an agency charged with protecting the public. It also raises red flags about how Montclair police officers treat/address people of color and women.

I have never been able to file a report about the incidents I experienced with the Montclair Police Department. Why, sir?

Thank you for your time and consideration,

Tara C. Williams

Here was Stafford's reply, sent later that day.

Good evening Ms. Williams:

Please consider the within to be in response to your email.

I am aware that the Montclair Police Department promptly and fully investigated your report and claim that you were harassed by an unknown male when the unknown male bowed to you on October 24, 2018 in Upper Montclair. I am aware that the Montclair Police Department promptly and fully investigated your report and claim that a Montclair Police Officer made inappropriate and/or demeaning comments to you. I am aware that the prompt and thorough investigations were classified as Not Sustained. I am aware that you were advised of such electronically by way of a Complaint Outcome Letter and that you were advised that you have the right to appeal the findings with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Professional Standards. I am aware that you, in fact, filed a Complaint with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Professional Standards.

Given your filing of that Complaint, I refer you to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Professional Standards for answers to your questions below. Given your standing, referenced Complaint, it would be inappropriate for me or any other Montclair Township employee to respond substantively.

That written, please know that by State statute and the Township Code, the Township Manager is vested with full administrative control of the Montclair Police Department. This includes, among other general powers and duties: promulgating rules and regulations as may be necessary for the efficient management and operation of the Department; enforcing the provisions of the Township Code and Department rules and regulations governing the Department; appointing persons to the Department; and trying all members against whom charges have been preferred and imposing such punishment as may be commensurate with the offense charged and proved.

Consistent with law, I monitor and personally participate in the Department’s hiring practices.

Your statement below “… that the Montclair Police Chief fails to hire people who are women, LGBTQ-plus and trans. This lack of diversity contributes to a monolithic organizational culture, which produces employees who have narrow perspectives on incidents like the one I tried to report.” is wholly inaccurate, specious and reckless. Likewise, your statement below that the Montclair Police Department has a lack of diversity that “… contributes to a monolithic organizational culture, which produces employees who have narrow perspectives on incidents like the one I tried to report.” is invective without foundation in fact.

I insist that you immediately cease and desist in your effort to brashly traduce the Montclair Police Department, its Chief, its officers, the Township and me. Your writings are spurious, deceptive, inflammatory, and deceitful and, given your Complaint filed with the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Professional Standards, inappropriate.

Again, given your filing of that Complaint, please refer any future substantive questions or writings directly to the Essex County Prosecutor’s Office, Office of Professional Standards. That Office can be reached directly by dialing 862-520-3700.

Thank you.

Timothy Stafford

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