JERSEY CITY — Insiders connected with the office of Jersey City Mayor Steve Fulop said that Michael Razzoli, director of the Department of Public Works, will likely resign as a result of alleged improprieties linked to the alleged use of public services for private use.
Razzoli, who also serves as a fire subcode official, allegedly installed a gas line that led to his office in the new municipal building, for apparent personal use.
It’s been widely reported that he had a grill installed on the balcony or deck connected to his office. “Gas grills are not allowed on decks,” said one source close to the investigation.
One source disputed the gas grill story, saying that reports on that aspect of the investigation were not accurate.
A city official said the Razzoli has already been asked to resign as DPW superintendent, but official city spokespeople will not comment on the matter.
“The mayor has asked for him to resign and he’s gone,” said a source close to Mayor Steven Fulop.
The gas line was allegedly installed at the new East Linden Avenue facility apparently for private use and was discovered reportedly when engineers were reviewing the plans prior to the official opening of the facility.
This has prompted insiders to take a closer look at Razzoli’s performance, looking for other possible infractions.
Razzoli was making about $177,000 as director and has requested to be restored to his own position as subcode official.
“That’s not going to happen,” one source said. “How can we reinstate him if he [allegedly] violated the law when he installed the gas line?”
Razzoli was a close ally to some of Fulop’s key people in last year’s political campaign and his departure would mark the second close associate to be removed from a position.
Last week, Fulop ordered demotion of Police Chief Robert Cowan.
Insiders said that removal of Razzoli and Cowan show just how serious the administration is about reforming operations.
“We’re running a very modern and efficient operation in Jersey City, and this shows that even people close to Fulop aren’t going to be allowed to operate business as usual,” one source said. — By Al Sullivan
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