WEST NEW YORK — Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega and the West New York Board of Commissioners are being sued by Dr. Felix Roque, leader of the Together We Can recall committee, who attempted (and failed) to recall them earlier this year.
Roque has said he wants to run for mayor in 2011, likely against Vega.
A report on NJ.com says that Roque filed a complaint in Hudson County Superior Court on Friday accusing Vega and the commissioners (under the auspices of “West New York First,” an organization created to challenge the recall) and a local printing company of defamation of character.
According to the article, Roque is alleging that they printed and sent out a “defamatory mailer” that “asserts Roque broke state election laws, submitted thousands of illegal signatures and committed fraud” in late July to registered voters in town.
It also says that Roque wasted $100,000 in taxpayer money during his failed recall effort.
Earlier this year, Together We Can’s recall effort was ended by Hudson County Superior Court Judge Maurice Gallipoli after Town Clerk Carmela Riccie made a determination that the recall committees did not collect enough valid petition signatures.
According to the story, Roque is concerned about how his medical practice may be affected by the allegations in the mailer and wants Mayor Vega to send a letter to all West New York residents “apologizing for his ignorance.”
Potential mayoral candidate sues WNY Mayor Vega, commissioners for defamation
