PARSIPPANY — Following a NJ Globe story where Democrat Mayor Michael Soriano attacked Councilman Mike dePierro and Councilwoman Loretta Gragnani over a contractually obligated payout to former Police Captain James Carifi, the Republican Councilmembers released the following statement.
It is important to note that Democratic Council Vice-President Janice McCarthy – one of Soriano’s own Council allies – voted with dePierro and Gragnani in a bipartisan move.
“The motion pays Mr. Carifi the earned contractual obligated compensation when he retired in good standing. And I can’t speak to anyone’s motivation in this matter, but for me, after reviewing the information, in my opinion, it’s the right thing to do. I vote yes.” stated Council Vice President Janice McCarthy to the Parsippany Focus.
“Mayor Soriano is not being forthright, plain and simple,” said Councilman dePierro. “First, he promised to work with us to resolve the longstanding Carifi matter, but now he wants to prolong it. Second, and most importantly, this payout is contractually obligated and will have no impact on taxpayers. Prolonging it made zero sense, unless you care more about political games than our town’s well-being. The Mayor’s so blatantly misleading taxpayers speaks to his character, or lack thereof.”
“This was a bipartisan decision, as it took a Democratic vote to move forward,” said Councilwoman Gragnani. “The fact of the matter is that the only people Parsippany taxpayers have to fear these days is Mayor Soriano and the two tax hiking budgets he’s passed to pay for his wasteful unqualified patronage hires in town hall.”
Submitted by Michael dePierro and Loretta Gragnani
