To the Editor:
I watched this week’s city council meeting in amazement as Third Ward Councilman Gary LaPelusa questioned the integrity of Mayor Smith’s designee for law director, Charles D’Amico. LaPelusa wrongly implied that because Mr. D’Amico made a legal donation months ago to Mayor Smith’s re-election fund, he was rewarded with a city job.
Coming from Mr. LaPelusa, who admitted to kicking back his entire salary to Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone, this statement is the height of hypocrisy. LaPelusa was working for Chiappone as an assembly aide. In order to qualify for taxpayer-paid benefits, he had to be on the assemblyman’s payroll for a certain number of hours. Given the price of family health benefits coverage, it’s no surprise that he would kickback his paycheck in return for free health benefits. It’s not like the job was a heavy lift or anything.
LaPelusa should make sure his brain is engaged before he opens his mouth. People who live in glass houses shouldn’t throw stones.
JAMES CECININI