The union representing Atlantic City firefighters says a Gov. Christie-appointed state overseer has hired a private investigator to track firefighters who are out on leave at their homes.
The allegation was contained in a filing that asked Superior Court Judge Julio Mendez to block “drastic” pay cuts the state sought to impose Dec. 22.
“Some guys that were on leave started noticing a particular vehicle out front of their house,” said John Varallo, president of Local 198 of the International Association of Fire Fighters, which has been fighting cuts and layoffs sought by state-appointed overseers. “No warning, no heads up. One called the police one time because it was literally parked all day.”
The police checked the licence plate, which revealed to the union the existence of a private investigator hired by the state to track firefighters out on medical leave. The state assumed power over Atlantic City government under a takeover signed into law a year ago.