WEST NEW YORK — A recall effort launched against the town’s mayor has caused some loud confrontations in the usually quiet town of West New York lately. The latest clash came Wednesday.
The owner of the adult day care facility “Mi Casa es Su Casa” in West New York, Dr. Antonio Gines, filed a police report Wednesday alleging that West New York Commissioner Gerald Lange came to his place of business and confronted him regarding the posting of political signage on his vehicles. Some of the signs were in favor of Dr. Felix Roque, who is seeking a mayoral recall against Mayor Sal Vega, an ally of Lange.
However, Lange said that Gines’ allegations are not true and he had filed a complaint against the facility with Medicare and Medicaid for alleged insurance fraud. He said the facility was placing political signs on their vehicles, and he was coming to speak to Gines about the legality of that.
“I went to see him prior to going to court, out of the goodness of my heart,” Lange said Wednesday.
Gines said Lange allegedly became confrontational to him, wagging his finger and allegedly pushing his belly at him. The Reporter viewed video of the incident that does show a nearly physical confrontation. (See photo.) The police were called and a report was made.
Lange said, “He [allegedly] became confrontational with my attorney and then with me. Then his son [allegedly] came in and became confrontational and we were at the point where they [allegedly] wouldn’t let us leave the room.”
Lange said, “It is a crime to [allegedly] use their facilities for politics.”
Gines said he had Corzine and signs that were also supporting the recall. “I don’t know Commissioner Lange. I didn’t meet him until yesterday,” said Gines.
Gines also alleged that Lange called him names. “The video speaks for itself,” Gines said.
The video will be posted here when we receive a copy to use. Meanwhile, see the still shot attached.
There was another clash involving Roque supporters and Lange and his allies recently. See HERE.
And Lange has had some trouble with the police before, according to articles two years ago and six years ago. Read about it HERE and HERE.
Political consultant Paul Swibinski said Thursday morning that “In both cases, the charges against Commissioner Lange were dropped, either by the prosecution for lack of evidence, or because they were withdrawn. Commissioner Lange was never convicted of any criminal charges in either matter.”
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