3 Ex Sewer Commission Supervisors Sentenced To Jail For Using Employees To Complete Personal Tasks

Three former supervisors at the Passaic Valley Sewerage Commission were sentenced to state prison or jail Tuesday for having agency employees complete renovations and other tasks at private homes while on duty. Another supervisor was sentenced to probation, said Acting Attorney General Christopher S. Porrino.

Superior Court Judge Marilyn C. Clark sentenced Kevin Keogh, 50, of Rutherford, the former superintendent for special services, to five years in state prison. He pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy and official misconduct for having on-duty employees finish renovations at his home and run personal errands for him.

Paul Bazela, 49, of Northvale, was the former foreman of the commission’s carpenter shop. He was sentenced to three years in prison after pleading guilty in March to theft. He used his position as foreman to have employees complete the work at Keogh’s home.

Bazela was convicted in March 2014 of conspiracy, official misconduct, and theft by unlawful taking for having employees perform personal jobs for Anthony Ardis.

Ardis, 62, of Paterson, was sentenced to 90 days in county jail and a year of probation. He pleaded guilty in June to conspiracy to commit official misconduct. He was also convicted of conspiracy, official misconduct, and theft by unlawful taking in March 2014, but the convictions were overturned on appeal.

Chester Mazza, 75, of Totowa, was sentenced to one year of probation. He pleaded guilty in May 2012 to theft by unlawful taking. He admitted he had subordinates perform work at his home, including installing a fan in his roof and repair a stone wall in his front yard.

The commission is a state agency responsible for managing and regulating the collection and disposal of wastewater generated in a four-county area along the Passaic Valley River Basin. It includes parts of Bergen, Passaic, Essex, and Hudson counties.

Keogh, Ardis, and Mazza were immediately fired from their positions at the commission in February 2011 following their arrests. Bazela’s employment at the PVSC also was terminated in 2011.

“These men arrogantly abused their positions and exploited public workers, vehicles and equipment for their selfish purposes, all at the expense of the taxpayers who fund this state agency,” said Acting Attorney General Porrino. “The sentences imposed today demonstrate our resolve to hold public officials accountable if they abuse their power.”

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Photos: Kevin Keogh, Chester Mazza, Anthony Ardis and Paul Bazela, and — Courtesy of Attorney General's Office