$2.6M Collected By Cops Suspended For Secret Racial Slur Tapes In Union County: Report

CLARK, NJ — Three members of the Clark Police Department suspended after a racial slur scandal are still costing taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars more than five years later, according to NJ Advance Media.

Police Chief Pedro Matos and Sgt. Joseph Teston were put on paid suspension in 2020 after a whistleblower came forward with secret recordings alleging they used racial slurs such as "shines," "spooks," and the N-word. Allegations were also brought against the town's mayor, Sal Bonaccorso, for which he later acknowledged and apologized.

Captain Vincent Concina was also put on paid leave due to allegations of retaliation against the whistleblower, former Lt. Antonio Manata.

Matos, Teston, and Cocina have collected yearly salaries in the six figures each year since, NJ Advance Media said, with multiple raises being added. The three have been paid a collective $2.6 million, with the number continuing to grow.

According to Clark payroll records, Matos has been paid out $979,298, Concina has been paid out $178,979, and Teston received $147,556. Each of their pay has grown by more than 14 percent following their suspension in 2020.

The men are continuing to fight their disciplinary hearings with lawsuits alleging the handling of their suspension involved misconduct. The suit argues no discipline should be carried out due to an 18-month period between April 2022 and October 2023 when prosecutors hadn't produced any sufficient development in their case.

Prosecutors said the speed and process does not affect future disciplinary matters and told a judge at a hearing on Dec. 3 that they are still actively working on the case.

"The idea that it takes 18 months for trained professional criminal prosecutors to say, 'Hmm, does that constitute official misconduct?' is really absurd," Timothy Donohue, attorney for Cocina, added according to NJ Advance Media.

Settlement

In January 2020, Clark officials made a $400K deal with Manata to hand over the recordings to the township. Manata was allowed to stay on the payroll without working until February 2022 when he retired.

The recorded racial slurs came to light in July 2020 when the Union County Prosecutor's Office took over the Police Department amidst the "misconduct allegations."

RELATED COVERAGE: Clark Officials Paid $400K To Cover Up Racial Slurs Said By Mayor: Report

Mayor's Involvement

In April 2022, Bonaccorso issued a video apology for his comments made in the secret recordings.

"I'm here to say I've made mistakes, and I'd like to apologize for the pain I caused to the residents of Clark, my family, my friends, and all those that were offended by my comments," said Bonaccorso.

Governor Phil Murphy, along with a number of local leaders, called for him to step-down in the wake of the tape being released.

"I've learned and I have changed, and it will not happen again," he added.

The township's longest-serving mayor resigned in January after a plea agreement in which he admitted to aiding his oil tank removal business with work from township employees and equipment. He also admitted to forging other documents related to his business.

He pleaded guilty on Jan. 10 to charges of conspiring to commit official misconduct (third-degree) and forgery (third-degree) stemming from using township employees for his own business gain

As part of his plea agreement, he agreed to be permanently barred from holding any future public office or employment.

He also agreed to be prohibited from bidding on any public contracts, entering into any public contracts, or conducting any business with the State or its political subdivisions for five years.

READ MORE: Clark Mayor Used Town Employees To Run Personal Business: Authorities