Union City Mayor Brian Stack’s office received a subpoena from the state attorney general’s office last week regarding allegations against Police Chief Charles Everett, according to several media reports. One report also said that the Board of Education and Everett’s office also received subpoenas.
Eyebrows were raised starting last month, when New Jersey News 12 presented an investigative TV report about Everett and his off-duty work at the city’s pools and athletic field. Everett is paid over $200,000 a year for his full-time job as police chief. According to News 12, Everett also used to provide security at the city’s pools and Jose Marti Athletic Field. He worked for two years on Fridays from 6 p.m. to 10 p.m. and Saturdays from 4 p.m. until 12 p.m. billing $60 per hour for a total of $45,000 a year.
Another Blaettler complaint also resulted in a state probe last week.
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News 12 claimed that their videos showed Chief Everett allegedly showing up late, leaving early, and even allegedly working out at the gym while he was supposed to be at his off-duty detail.
Records obtained by the Reporter showed that for the extra work, the Union City Board of Education paid Everett – through the Police Department – $34,770 in 2009, $36,840 in 2010, and $17,520 in 2011 for security.
When phoned by the Reporter two weeks ago, Everett did not return calls. In the News 12 report, he said, “I am not going to talk about the detail.”
After the News 12 report aired in August, Stack hired an outside attorney, Walter Timpone of Morristown, to undertake an investigation. However, one source asked last week why Stack would not have had state investigators come in for free, and why he would spend tax dollars on a separate investigation.
But apparently, the state is coming in anyway.
Stack spokesman Mark Albiez said on Wednesday morning that he would not confirm nor deny the subpoenas. NJ.com said their confirmation came from “a source with knowledge of the investigation.”
The investigation originated with complaints from Joseph Blaettler, a former Union City deputy police chief, who has been responsible for several news reports on possible wrongdoing in Union City. He retired as deputy chief in December 2008 and opened a private investigation service. He said a year ago that he was hired by a private citizen to look into alleged waste and inefficiency by Mayor Stack (who is also a state senator).
On Monday, Blaettler told the Reporter that he still has that person as a client, but “others have called me regarding corruption in U.C. and if it sounds promising I will look into on my own. Based on what I have witnessed during my paid investigations, I do make inquires on my own because some of what I have witnessed is completely outrageous and I find it personally offensive.”
Blaettler has brought several other issues to light, and spurred a Fox news “Shame on You!” segment about Stack’s ex-wife, who runs the city’s day care center.
Another investigation
Another Blaettler complaint also resulted in a state probe last week.
A state ethics committee confirmed on Tuesday that they voted to look into whether Stack, who also serves as a state senator, improperly used his paid legislative aide as a spokesman for his city as well.
Stack Aide Mark Albiez actually does perform as a spokesman for Stack in Union City. Stack has told the state in a letter that Albiez does that work for free. On Wednesday morning, Albiez confirmed as much for the Reporter.
“I think the people understand that I am fully committed” to serving, Albiez said.
Albiez is a paid aide to both Stack and to Hoboken-based Assemblyman Ruben Ramos.
A media report quoted Nancy Erika Smith, a member of the Joint Legislative Commission on Ethical Standards, as saying that Albiez earns $75,000 for both legislative jobs. Smith was quoted as saying: “He’s collecting two state pays. He’s collecting from the Assembly and Senate … That might be nights and weekends, and that might be the way it is, but it’s a little disturbing.”
The committee voted 7-0 to hold a hearing on the complaint in the future.