Elena Gonzalez has filed a second lawsuit
NEPTUNE TOWNSHIP-- A police sergeant announced her resignation during a public meeting of the township committee Monday night, citing an ongoing culture of harassment that continued years after she was awarded more than $300,000 in a harassment and discrimination lawsuit.
"I had hoped my many requests of the township to take action to end the rampant discrimination, harassment and retaliation in the Neptune Township Police Department would have been taken seriously, making this letter unnecessary. But the abuse only intensified," Elena Gonzalez said, according to an account on app.com.
Gonzalez, an 11-year-veteran, and Officer Christine Savage filed suit in 2013, claiming they had been subject to harassment. The township, without admitting any wrongdoing, settled the suit by paying $330,000 to Savage and Gonzalez the following year. Both women were also promoted.
On Monday Gonzalez asserted that the harassing behavior has continued, singling out Police Director Michael Bascomb and Chief of Police James Hunt for criticism.
"If the leadership standing on this side over here....were employed by the Fox News Channel, most of the superior officers would have been dismissed from their posts and terminated for their misogynistic ways and sexually and racially discriminatory and retaliatory conduct a long time ago," Gonzalez read from a prepared statement.
Gonzalez has also filed another lawsuit.
An official declined to comment due to the litigation.
Paul Milo may be reached at pmilo@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter@PaulMilo2. Find NJ.com on Facebook.