A brand new report from the Office of the State Comptroller finds several New Jersey local governments improperly doling out overtime pay or compensatory time to high-level executive employees. 

Handing over money
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The OSC investigation looked at 14 governments across the state and found six that paid more than $195,000 in overtime to high-level employees over a two-year period without the support of a public ordinance.

"The passage of an ordinance, which allows for public comment and a vote from the governing body, is required under state law," a press release stated.

Meanwhile, more than 4,000 hours of compensatory time were awarded to executive employees in 10 of those 14 municipalities over the same time period, 2010 and 2011. The hours, as well, were given without passing an ordinance.

According to the report, in many cases, executives approved their own overtime payments. At least two padded their salaries with overtime wages during Hurricane Irene, even though they were working regular hours.

The unauthorized compensatory time often resulted in hefty severance payments for employees who were able to cash out unused time, the report stated.

Towns mentioned in the report include Elmwood Park, Paterson, Toms River, and Wallington, among others.

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