Official Harassment

From the BCCT.

So does the same go for harassed and bullied school board members?

Councilman claims harassment by officials
GEMA MARIA DUARTE

Bristol Councilman Jim Lutz has asked the District Attorney’s Office to look into whether the council president and borough manager abused their power to harass him.

“An abuse of power,” Lutz said in his letter of complaint dated Dec. 29. “Are these individuals using their office to harass me personally? Intimidation! Is this an attempt to keep me in line? To get me to back off of positions I’ve taken? Legally — are they giving residents legal advice? The tenants lost their case, any repercussions for the borough?”

The tenants the councilman is referring to are Denise Tomazos and Kevin Smith, who filed a complaint against Lutz in District Court before getting direction from council President Ralph DiGuiseppe and Manager James Dillon. A second complaint was filed after they sought the borough’s help.

Lutz refused to comment on the letter until it was reviewed by his lawyer, James Downey of Begley, Carlin & Mandio. The paper was unsuccessful in reaching District Attorney Michelle Henry on Tuesday for comment.

DiGuiseppe said he was doing his job when he told the pair they had the right to file a complaint to stop Lutz from evicting them for back rent. They said they withheld about $2,300 in rent money because the landlord hadn’t reimbursed them for fixing up the rental.

“If someone comes to the borough (with an issue) and if it’s not a borough issue, that person has the right to file a civil lawsuit,” DiGuiseppe said. “My job is to help people living in the borough. I didn’t file it. I didn’t give them the money to file. My job is to inform the public of their rights. It doesn’t matter whether it’s against Lutz or whoever.”

“This is similar to his last erroneous accusations made prior to the last election,” Dillon said. “He is attempting to use the District Attorney’s Office for his political gain. I have given the same advice to other residents who feel they have received improper treatment from their landlords.”

Tomazos and Smith each filed a complaint in district court concerning costs they put out for the refurbishment of the house they rented. Tomazos’s focused on the cost of materials; Smith’s for labor costs. Both complaints asked to stop the eviction. Peranteau dismissed the complaints, but the couple appealed to county court.