Report: Ex-Police Chief Sues Booker

NEWARK, NJ -- Newark’s former Police Chief Anthony Campos has sued Mayor Cory Booker, alleging the mayor did not provide promised pay raises after forcing Campos to resign from his post in 2008, NJ.com reported Sunday morning.

The lawsuit is the latest in a string of disputes between Campos, Booker and then-Police Director Garry McCarthy, the report said. Six years ago, the feud, “divided Newark at the highest levels of government, leading to lawsuits, union challenges and Campos’ suspension before the position was finally abolished after he resigned and McCarthy absorbed his powers,” the report said.

Campos remained in the department as a deputy chief, the report said. McCarthy absorbed Campos’ former powers, NJ.com reported.

According to the report, Campos’ lawsuit claims Booker—who announced recently he is planning to run for the Senate seat vacated by Frank Lautenberg’s death—promised him an annual salary of $170,000, to expunge his disciplinary record, and to name him director of public safety, a position outside the PD’s chain-of-command.

According to the suit, Booker did not deliver on the promises, the report said.

Representatives on both sides declined to comment on the suit.

The Chief of Police position in Newark was abolished in 2009, and not reestablished until 2011, when current Chief Sheilah Coley was named to the post.