Hudson Reporter Archive

Former Jersey City police chief files suit against Mayor Fulop and Chief Shea; claims he was asked to cover up officials’ DUI’s

JERSEY CITY — Former Jersey City Police Chief Robert Cowan, who resigned in 2014 after the city restructured the Public Safety Department, filed a lawsuit this week against Jersey City Mayor Steven Fulop and Public Safety Director James Shea and a number of unnamed defendants.

The suit alleges that city officials asked him to “cover up” several activities, including driving under the influence by superior officers in the police department and an out-of-state DUI involving a high ranking member of the Fulop Administration. The suit also contends that Fulop tried to orchestrate a traffic backup near the Holland Tunnel in retaliation against the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey.

Mayor Fulop removed Cowan as chief in July 2014 after Cowan allegedly refused to sign on to restructuring of the police department. Cowan was demoted and later retired.

“Cowan was a fired police chief as a result of his poor performance who previously never brought any accusations whatsoever until after he was terminated. I think this speaks for itself as to the validity of his lawsuit. This is nothing more than a disgruntled former employee who was terminated for poor performance trying to make up stories to try and take advantage of the taxpayers one last time,” said city spokeswoman Jennifer Morrill.

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