Jersey Shore Town Sued After Arresting 2 Men For Filming Council Meeting

LAVALLETTE, NJ — Two men have filed a lawsuit against the borough of Lavallette, its mayor and police chief after they were arrested in 2023 for attempting to film a council meeting, according to documents filed in federal court earlier this month.

Michael Vintzileos of South Amboy and Steven Wronko of Spotswood filed the lawsuit against the borough, Mayor Walter LaCicero, Police Chief Christian LaCicero, and other police officers and municipal employees, claiming their First Amendment and civil rights were violated when they were arrested during the meeting on July 24, 2023.

The lawsuit was filed on April 1 in U.S. District Court in Trenton.

According to court documents, Vintzileos and Wronko attended the meeting because officials planned to address ADA beach access, an issue of interest to them.

Before the meeting, the men claimed they contacted Borough Clerk Donnelly Amico and notified the city of their intent to film it. According to the lawsuit, Amico replied with, “Have a nice weekend.”

After the meeting started, the lawsuit claims both men were arrested by police for filming it without receiving prior written permission to do so.

Vintzileos and Wronko were both charged with purposely preventing or disrupting a meeting through an act of physical interference. The charges were later dismissed.

Others named in the lawsuit include Lavallette police Sgts. Adam LaCicero and Justin D. Lamb. Adam LaCicero is the brother of Police Chief Christian LaCicero, according to an Asbury Park Press report, and both men are sons of the mayor. Lamb is also Toms River council president.

"What happened to these guys is outrageous," Toms River lawyer Thomas Mallon, who is representing Vintzileos and Wronko, told the Press. "We firmly believe that they intended to arrest them right from the get-go. … They were just doing what they have a right to do. Maybe it makes these politicians uncomfortable, but that’s too bad. It’s part of the job. They have to learn to live with it."

Lavallette Borough Attorney William Burns told the Press he has not filed a response to the lawsuit, but said the city and its employees denied any wrongdoing.

Vintzileos and Wronko are asking for unspecified compensatory and punitive damages, according to court documents.