WEST NEW YORK — The West New York Democratic Committee released a statement Wednesday alleging that Dr. Felix Roque, who led the recall effort by the Together We Can group in West New York earlier this year which ultimately failed, has not yet paid $2,652 in legal fees that a New Jersey Superior Court ordered Roque to pay in August.
However, Roque responded on Wednesday afternoon by saying that he received the letter ordering the payment on Aug. 31 and paid it two weeks ago on Sept. 8.
“I am calling on Mr. Roque to live up to his legal obligations and pay this bill immediately,” said West New York Mayor Silverio “Sal” Vega in a released statement that Vega called a “friendly reminder.”
“He is showing himself to be nothing more than a deadbeat,” continued Vega. “Not only should he pay the monies ordered by the judge, he should also reimburse West New York for the nearly $100,000 of hard earned taxpayer money he wasted in this ridiculous recall fraud.”
Upon hearing Vega’s statement, Roque offered to stop payment on the first check and personally carry it to Vega’s office if the mayor preferred.
“This is more like a political ploy to tarnish my image,” said Roque. “Mr .Vega must be very desperate or the town is in crisis due to his ineptitude.”
Roque added that he still plans to run for mayor of West New York in 2011.