New Jersey Mayor Salvator Bonaccorso of Clark is facing criminal charges following an investigation into allegations of racial slurs and fraudulent business practices. State Attorney Matthew Platkin accused Bonacorso of running his landscaping and illegal tank removal business out of his municipal office, using municipal resources to run the company. The charges also include witness tampering and falsifying records.
The investigation was sparked by complaints from residents about the disproportionately high rate of black arrests in the city, which led to allegations that the police department and its chief were engaging in racist comments. Platkin revealed that the criminal charges stemmed from this investigation, but officials from the city and the mayor’s residence declined to comment on the allegations.
Debbie Flanagan, a resident of Clark, called for Bonaccorso’s resignation after hearing about the allegations, while other residents praised the mayor for his work before they were made public. Platkin recommended changes in the police department and called for the resignation or firing of its chief, which only Bonaccorso can do as mayor.