MANCHESTER — Suspended Public Works Director Stephen Stanziano on Wednesday called charges of insubordination and neglected duties leveled against him by township officials as ?baseless.?
?What was done today (Tuesday) was illegal, the charges were baseless and all of the participants in this carnival sideshow will be held accountable,? Stanziano said in a prepared statement issued after a township hearing Tuesday about the charges. Stanziano and his attorney Ronald Lueddeke did not attend the hearing.
Township officials held a hearing Tuesday to determine Stanziano?s future with the township.
Stanziano, a 56-year-old Toms River resident, was suspended May 10 with pay after township officials made claims that he was insubordinate and neglected his duties as public work director during the last year.
During the hearing Tuesday, Joseph Veni, a township engineer, testified Stanziano asked him to ?fudge? numbers on federal paperwork and make repairs to his parents? roof during work hours. Stanziano and Lueddeke notified officials Monday night that they would not attend the hearing. Lueddeke protested the hearing, contending it did not follow proper protocol.
?I can hold my head high through all of this,? Stanziano said in his statement.
Stanziano, who was paid $132,633 in 2012, has been an employee of the department since July 1995, according to township records.
?For more than 18 years I have been a dedicated public servant to the residents of Manchester. This isn?t over, not even close to being over,? Stanziano said.
Hearing officer John J. Mercun, an attorney, will submit a written report in the coming weeks detailing his recommendation on Stanziano?s employment to the Township Council and mayor. The township governing body will then have the final say on whether Stanziano keeps his job.
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