Judge Revives Suit Over North Bergen Legal Fees

A judge has revived a lawsuit against a northern New Jersey town over the paying of legal fees for town employees involved in a corruption investigation.

The lawsuit filed by a resident of North Bergen claims the town shouldn't be responsible for legal fees for numerous Department of Public Works employees who've been subpoenaed in the probe.

This week, DPW chief James Wiley pleaded guilty to official misconduct for using employees for personal chores and political campaign work while they were on the clock.

A lawyer for plaintiff April Tricoli-Busset said in court Friday that Wiley's case has cost the town $16,000.

State Superior Court Judge Edward O'Connor dismissed the lawsuit in July. But he re-heard arguments Friday and took the unusual step of reversing his earlier ruling.

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