Two Old Bridge cops are the subject of IA investigations, their lawyers say.
OLD BRIDGE -- It was an unwelcome October surprise for two Old Bridge police officers.
The township administration has requested Internal Affairs investigations related to their political activities. According to the officers' attorneys, it's a move they call politically motivated and potentially litigable.
"Retaliation? Yes. Petty vindictiveness? Yes. It's the Republican playbook," said Bob Brown, a lawyer for Officer Robert Kurzydlowski.
Kurzydlowski, a Democrat, is running for Assembly alongside Dave Merwin. They face an uphill battle against incumbent Republicans Ronald Dancer and Robert Clifton in a district that spans parts of Middlesex, Monmouth, Ocean and Burlington counties.
Old Bridge officials requested that IA look into whether Kurzydlowski is allowed to run for office without the permission of the county prosecutor, according to Brown -- a matter that has been settled elsewhere, including Dover. The conclusion? You don't need permission.
Even Assemblyman Clifton, Kurzydlowski's opponent, believes a police officer can run for elected office.
"I think it's kind of a moot point anyway: Bob's on the ballot," Clifton said. "He'll be a candidate. Whatever the issue is, I hope it doesn't negatively affect him after the election or going forward."
Despite that, Kurzydlowski received notice last week that he's being investigated, said Brown, himself a retired Old Bridge cop. The Old Bridge Police Department forwarded the investigation to the county prosecutor, which may bounce it back to the department, Brown said.
RELATED: Shady deals, cronyism claims rip apart Old Bridge GOP
Township administrator Christopher Marion, Mayor Owen Henry and the county prosecutor's office declined to comment.
In another matter, around the same time, the town administration requested an investigation into Old Bridge cop Vincent Galgano.
That comes after he wrote a letter to the editor on MyCentralJersey.com questioning the claims of a township councilman.
"Last time we checked, the first amendment applies to all citizens," said Charles Sciarra, Galgano's attorney. "It sounds like it's just politics 101."
Sciarra said his client is getting swept up into a contested election for town council and mayor.
Republicans Brian Cahill, Anita Greenberg and Debbie Walker are running for three seats on the council. They face Democrats Deborah Marquez, Thomas Galante and Jack Gillick. Mayor Henry, a Republican, is facing retired Old Bridge cop Bill Cerra, a Democrat. Galgano's letter took issue with Cahill's claims about departmental staffing levels. Cahill declined to comment on a personnel matter.
Sciarra said his client won't be intimidated.
"Threatening someone's paycheck has a coercive effect," Sciarra said. "Hopefully they back up and this goes away. Otherwise, they're looking at a lawsuit at some point."
Old Bridge is controlled by Republicans, but the GOP has been beset by infighting.
The election is Nov. 3.
"This a clear example of Mayor Henry's management style and his attempt to intimidate employees who are exercising their constitutional and civil rights by abusing his power as Mayor," Cerra said in an emailed statement,
Brian Amaral may be reached at bamaral@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @bamaral44. Find NJ.com on Facebook.
