NORTH BERGEN AND BEYOND — Former North Bergen Recreation Department Supervisor Lydia Coleman has filed a state ethics complaint against North Bergen Mayor and State Senator Nicholas Sacco. Coleman worked for the township’s Recreation Department from approximately 1995 to 2005, according to the complaint.
The complaint alleges that during the night of Feb. 13, 2003, Sacco “began to pursue Ms. Coleman aggressively” at a bar, despite her rejections. The complaint says that later that night, Sacco left a series of voice messages on Coleman’s phone threatening her and calling her a “scumbag” and “retard.” The complaint says Coleman’s job functions were limited following the voice messages.
This week, Sacco spokesman Paul Swibinski said in an e-mailed response, “This phony recording from 2003 and this accuser are both total frauds and part of a smear campaign by Mayor Sacco’s political opponents.” He alleged that Coleman is a “liar” and has had a host of legal troubles.
“We are convinced that the voicemails have been tampered with and digitally altered. They are not an accurate reflection of any actual statements,” said Swibinski in the e-mail.
He also said the motivation behind the ethics complaint is political.
“Lydia Coleman has an attorney [Mario Blanch] and a public relations firm representing her – the same people who worked for Mayor Sacco’s political opponents in the election earlier this year,” Swibinski said. “This is no coincidence. This is the real reason why Lydia Coleman has decided to make these wild accusations after almost nine years. It is all part of an orchestrated political smear campaign.”
In other news reports, Coleman said that she waited so long to pursue the complaint because she was scared of Sacco, a powerful politician. Besides being mayor, Sacco is a state senator and the assistant superintendent of schools in North Bergen.
“It is a very sad day when a disreputable and dishonest person like Lydia Coleman can spread these wild allegations against a man like Mayor Nick Sacco who has an unblemished record of outstanding public service for nearly 30 years,” said Swibinski.
Last year, another former North Bergen employee, April L. Tricoli-Bussett ,sued the municipality for emotional distress after she claimed officials addressed her crudely. Although the lawsuit was thrown out, the insurance company decided to settle with Tricoli-Busset for $90,000 after the judge decided that stress was created when she moved from one office to another. Sacco’s supporters allege that Coleman and Tricoli-Busset are friends, according to the News12 report. — Stephen LaMarca