NORTH ARLINGTON –
The borough’s public relations employee – who also works for Bergen County and Hackensack – is reportedly the focus of several subpoenas issued by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office and served on those employers, according to published reports.
The Record and NorthJersey. com reported last week that office is seeking information about the employment of Thomas Ammirato as it relates to all three of his jobs. They listed his yearly pay as $21,600 from North Arlington, $35,000 from Bergen County and $78,000 from Hackensack.
Ammirato told The Observer that none of his employers had mentioned any problems with him and that he knew nothing about the subpoenas until he’d read about them in the press.
“I’ve consulted an attorney,” he said last week. “I don’t know what they’re looking for.”
In North Arlington, where he’s worked “on and off for several years,” Ammirato said, “They’re happy with my work product. I produce everything I’m supposed to. I’m always available to members of the press. I just want to do my job to the best of my ability.”
Asked about the subpoena served on the borough, North Arlington Mayor Peter Massa said he inferred that, “It’s part of a wide-ranging investigation. We’ve complied.” Massa said he was legally precluded from saying what specific information the borough was asked to provide but said it was in the category of “general business records.”
Massa added: “We don’t have an issue with [Ammirato’s] work. He does what he’s supposed to do for us. He works well within the scope of services of his [one-year] contract, which is for $1,800 a month.”
Ammirato said he has “the same sort of contract with Hackensack, but it’s a lot more work.” He said he’s worked for the city since the end of July 2013.
He said he’s worked for the county, as an employee, since Memorial Day 2012.
A registered Republican, Ammirato said he’s also done “project work,” periodically, for various GOP officials in the state.
– Ron Leir
