Port Authority Pushes Back on Toll Perks Lawsuit

The head of the Port Authority of New York and New Jersey says lawsuits filed by retirees seeking to restore free EZ-Pass benefits are offensive. And he is pushing back.

Executive Director Patrick Foye says he's asking New York and New Jersey tax authorities to investigate whether the retirees owe taxes, interest and penalties on the free benefits they received until the program was discontinued Jan. 1.

Two former Port Authority police officers have sued to restore the free EZ-Pass and parking privileges they say were promised or contractually owed.

One of them, Thomas Westfield, is suing on behalf of himself and is also seeking class-action status on behalf of over 400 fellow Port Authority retirees.

He called Foye's comments ludicrous and retaliatory and says the retirees won't back down.

(Copyright 2012 by The Associated Press. All Rights Reserved.)