Judge upholds Washington Twp. dismissal of solicitor
A federal judge has upheld the ouster last year of Washington Township's solicitor, ruling that officials in the Gloucester County municipality acted properly.
A federal judge has upheld the ouster last year of Washington Township's solicitor, ruling that officials in the Gloucester County municipality acted properly.
U.S. District Judge Noel Hillman rejected claims by lawyer John Armano Jr., who alleged that he was improperly dismissed and that Council members conspired to terminate him.
Armano had been solicitor for the largest municipality in the county since 2013 under a four-year contract. His appointment would have expired in 2016.
Council members fired Armano in January 2015 because of an alleged election-related conflict of interest. He was replaced with Joseph Alacqua.
In a ruling last week, Hillman found that Armano was properly terminated because he was given due process and had the opportunity to appear at a hearing.
"The council's lack of trust and confidence in plaintiff's services as township solicitor establishes sufficient cause to remove him from his position," Hillman said.
The council dismissed Armano by a 4-1 vote after his law partner, John Trimble, filed a separate suit against some council members. The council said the firm's representation in both cases was a conflict.
The judge did not rule on the conflict question.
Armano and his attorney, Louis Giansante, did not return telephone messages seeking comment.
Hillman dismissed Armano's suit against Council President Michelle Martin and members Angela Donato, Sean Longfellow, Nicholas Fazzio, John Rogale, and Albert Frattali.
"My clients are very happy with the results, which vindicated their decision to remove Mr. Armano," said lawyer Eric Riso, who represented all the defendants except Fazzio. John Grady, who represented Fazzio, declined comment Wednesday.
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