TRENTON – City clerk Matthew Conlan is being investigated by Mercer State and County officials for a “list” of charges that could lead to the revocation of his registered municipal clerk’s ID, officials said.
These are exciting events in a long saga that has engulfed the capital since Conlan was hired as a clerk and custodian in August 2020.
He has since been a pain in the administration of Mayor Reed Hussein, culminating last week when Conlan declined the board meeting as a legislator questioned his work.
Conlan came out indefinite leave for treatmentleaving the city without a staff replacement to oversee meetings and perform other duties assigned to his office.
Government officials must decide whether they have grounds to revoke a clerk’s certificate, Hussein said Trent that Conlan had been neglecting responsibilities for months, resulting in a “running list of deficiencies” in his office.
They ranged from unverified business registration checks overdue OPRA requestssaid the mayor.
City officials said the clerk had not contributed funds raised to the business license since Nov. 11.
Hussein was required to extend the deadline for obtaining and renewing business licenses until March 31 after the office stopped accepting payments.
“The council was not very concerned about his behavior,” Hussera said.
City officials checked Fr. Trent State records request a copy of the mayor’s complaint, which is in the hands of an administrative justice judge, according to a spokesman for the Department of Community Affairs, which manages and controls RMC certificates for municipal employees across the state.
Separately, Conlan faces an investigation by Mercer County Attorneys regarding allegations made in the DCA complaint, Trent learned.
A spokeswoman for Mercer County Attorney Angela Anafri said the office was considering “concerns” expressed by city officials.
No charges have been filed against Conlan, who has a horrific history that includes a preliminary charge of a crime in Florida and the history of clashes with employers before arriving in Trenton.
He is suing Trenton officials and Trent for $ 3 million, claiming he was retaliated for being a whistleblower of the alleged “RICO conspiracy”.
The clerk has been the subject of at least three city-initiated investigations claims he made in his resume and his alleged abuse of staff.
The latest investigation by law firm Maley Givens substantiated allegations from three employees who were sexually harassed by Conlan.
Conlan denied the allegations, arguing one prosecutor conspired with others to be killed.
He called the report Maley Givens a “Sham” and “hoof work” and asked the Attorney General of New Jersey to investigate how Trent received the report.
While residents are tired of the clerk’s antics, the board’s leadership continues to stick to hiring him.
McBride declined to schedule a disciplinary hearing for lawmakers to consider firing a clerk.
She dumped the Mali Givens report as biased and demanded another law firm advice board with conducting its own investigation.
Conlan withdrew from the council conference session on Feb. 15, saying he suffers from kidney stones, after entering into a sharp verbal confrontation with South Ward council member George Mushal.
The clerk then told lawmakers that he was on vacation, forcing officials to cancel the Feb. 17 meeting.
The date of the make-up has not been announced, and the city still does not have a backup for the upcoming March 1 meeting.
“We are hostages,” said Crystal Feliciano, a candidate for the Freedom Council. “There is no control. No cohesion. Because of this advice we are in complete disarray. Where is the state? Why no one goes and says Trenton needs help. We need all our hands on deck. ”
McBride ignored a few calls from Trent are looking for answers about the possible replacement of Conlan, whom officials have been waiting for at least a month.
“You are not speaking on behalf of the people of Trenton, and your articles do not reflect any factual basis,” McBride told reporters.
A source who is well aware of the situation said council counsel Edward Kalogi has asked the DCA to help find a replacement for Conlan.
Candidates are worried that clerical staffing problems could affect the upcoming election in Trenton.
Petitions to nominate candidates are due in September, the mayor said, but those running are not told if they can expect these forms to be available so they can get the necessary signatures to appear on the ballot.
“It’s extremely exciting. Let us know what is happening. Look at all this city business that will be supported, ”said the candidate of freedom Michael Ranala. “I don’t see the council speaking on behalf of the people of Trenton.”
