Mahwah Mayor Urged To Resign After Drunken Incident At Party

MAHWAH, NJ - Residents are urging Mahwah’s mayor to step down after making headlines for admitting he drank too much, took off his pants and passed out during a gathering at a township employee’s house.

Mayor John Roth has since apologized for his actions at the Jan. 10 party, saying he “consumed too much alcohol,” removed his pants and climbed into his host’s empty bed “to rest” and that he feels “nothing but regret, remorse and sincere sorrow.”

See Also: Mayor Apologizes For Drinking Too Much, Passing Out

Roth, who has nearly 20 years in public service, became mayor two years ago after voters recalled Bill Laforet and his seat is up for re-election this fall.

Now, the same residents involved in the effort to remove Laforet from office are calling for Roth to step down.

In a press release issued Tuesday evening, the Recall Campaign Committee of 2018 asked the community to email the mayor with pleas to resign.

“Please step aside. Please resign. Deal with your problem and allow Mahwah to move forward,” the committee said. “No township employee can be expected to function comfortably in their place of employment if you remain as mayor. Please do what is best for Mahwah.”

Roth’s behavior and subsequent news coverage, the committee said, “has subjected this town to unnecessary embarrassment," "has diminished his ability to instill confidence in the public as we confront the many serious issues in the township" and "has jeopardized the ability of township employees to feel comfortable in their work environment when dealing with him."

"As the organizing committee for the successful recall of 2018, we remain proud to have been part of making history in Mahwah...but we still believe that Mahwah can do better. This is contingent on recognizing that we mustn't go backwards," the release also said.

Following the gathering last month, an anonymous letter was sent to township department heads and council members about what happened. Signed by two dozen employees, the letter demanded private apologies or the mayor's resignation.

It was obtained by media outlets, Roth said, which caused "embarrassment and hurt" and was an "unnecessary distraction for the township."

An internal investigation by the township’s labor attorney determined “no crimes had been committed, no property was damaged and no complaints have been filed” in connection with the incident, the mayor said during the Feb.6 council meeting.

Roth broke his silence publicly for the first time Thursday, when he read a statement during the council meeting apologizing "to my family, the event host, the township's employees, town council and all the residents of Mahwah."

Related: Mahwah Mayor Admits To Drinking Too Much, Passing Out At Employee's Party

While "censure" appeared on the meeting agenda, the mayor was only reprimanded by the council in a resolution stating his "conduct on Jan. 10, 2020" was "inappropriate and represents conduct unbecoming an elected official."

During a public comment portion of the meeting, some residents spoke out about the incident, including one who said a third party should have performed the internal investigation and another who believed the mayor should resign.

According to NJ.com, the township labor attorney’s report also recommended the mayor get counseling on township policies and anti-discrimination laws, as well as seek an evaluation regarding alcohol consumption and how it could impact his behavior.

Roth's public service background includes four years on the board of education, two on the planning board and 12 as a township councilman.

Roth could not immediately be reached for comment Wednesday morning.