Politics & Government
Lawsuit Seeks $600K From Ocean City Mayor Over Wonderland Debt
The lawsuit claims that Mayor Jay Gillian owes $600K for a 2024 court judgment regarding the shuttered Wonderland Pier.
OCEAN CITY, NJ — A lawsuit filed in Cape May County Superior Court claims that Ocean City Mayor Jay Gillian and developer Eustace Mita owe about $600K relating to a 2024 court judgment about the shuttered Wonderland Pier.
In 2023, the 1st Bank of Sea Isle City and the Patricia Gillian Irrevocable Trust sued Gillian and his company Gilamco seeking payment of a previous debt. The court ruled in their favor in 2024.
But as of 2025, "nothing has been paid on account of the Judgment," according to the new lawsuit.
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Patricia Gillian was married to Roy Gillian, father of Jay Gillian and former mayor and founder of Wonderland Pier. Roy Gillian died in 2024.
The new lawsuit says that Gillian was paid nearly $600K after selling Wonderland Pier that should have gone to the bank and Patricia Gillian's trust. Mita purchased the property in 2021 to avoid foreclosure after Gillian had defaulted on $8 million in loans.
Find out what's happening in Ocean Cityfor free with the latest updates from Patch.
Gillian told the Press of Atlantic City that he could not comment on the lawsuit.
Earlier this month, Gillian publicly shared that he had recently declared bankruptcy.
"This was an extraordinarily difficult decision, but ultimately the most responsible course of action after a series of financial challenges that I could no longer manage," Gillian wrote in a message to Ocean City residents. Read more: Ocean City Mayor Files For Personal Bankruptcy
Mita, CEO of ICONA Resorts, told the Press of Atlantic City that he has no liability, as he bought the property and prior debts are not his responsiblity.
Mita hopes to turn the property into a luxury hotel, a plan that appears to finally be moving forward after months of controversy. City Council recently voted to allow the property to be reviewed by the Planning Board to possibly be named an area in need of rehabilitation. If that's approved, it would allow for variances the property would need and make for a smoother development process. Read more: Wonderland Hotel Plan Moving Forward After Ocean City Vote
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