Clifton’s Workplace Storm: Old Workers vs. New Council

A former city lawyer, Matthew Priore, says the Clifton council has bullied him and pushed him into early retirement. He calls the four current members a “Cabal. ” Priore’s suit lists harsh claims: constant harassment, false accusations, threats to his job and benefits, and a hostile work environment that left him feeling forced out. He also names the city manager and other officials in his complaint. Other former staff have followed suit or left. The previous city manager, Dominick Villano, filed a whistle‑blower case accusing the same council members of harassment. The former personnel director and city chief financial officer have filed claims or announced retirements, and a new communications manager left after only two months. Several city employees have either sued or hinted at legal action. Council members have responded strongly. Christopher D’Amato says Priore’s accusations are untrue and that the council acted within policy. Antonio Latona dismisses the case as a distraction, while others note that legal costs have spiked due to the lawsuits. The defendants claim they are protecting the city’s integrity and that they target only those who undermine taxpayer interests.Priore details a long history of conflict. He began as an assistant attorney in 2001, became full‑time municipal lawyer in 2004, and has frequently clashed with council members over policy. He alleges that Latona kept a paid firefighting job while on the council, that Sadrakula blocked a mosque expansion and made anti‑Jewish remarks, and that Gibson opposed a nearby mosque by directing the city manager to remove parking signs during Ramadan. D’Amato, who joined in 2024, is said to have coordinated with the others to block Priore’s influence and to cut benefits for part‑time attorneys. The lawsuit accuses the council of violating open‑meeting laws, serving Priore with a Rice Notice (which warns of an upcoming employment decision), and threatening to eliminate health benefits at the moment Priore was eligible for early retirement. Priore claims these actions forced him to negotiate a retirement package under duress. Even after his retirement, he says the council continued retaliation and targeted houses of worship. The case shows a clash between long‑time city employees who feel protected by the law and a council that sees them as obstacles. The outcome will likely impact Clifton’s future policies, staff morale and the city’s financial burden.