The mayor of Clark, New Jersey, Salvator Bonaccorso, has been accused of operating a landscaping and illegal tank removal business from his township office while using municipal resources to run the company. Attorney General Matthew Platkin alleges that Bonaccorso made racial slurs during the course of this business operation.
The charges against Bonaccorso also include witness tampering and falsifying records. Platkin stated that Bonaccorso fraudulently used an engineer’s name, license number, and forged signature on permit applications. Officials from Clark Township and the mayor’s residence declined to comment on the charges.
However, Debbie Flanagan, a Clark resident, called for Bonaccorso’s resignation after hearing about the charges. Other residents praised the mayor for his work prior to their announcement.
Platkin revealed that these criminal charges stemmed from another investigation into the police department and its chief, as well as allegations of racist comments made by the mayor himself. Platkin found that there was a disproportionately high arrest rate for Black individuals in Clark, but neither the police department nor its officials were available for comment.
Finally, Platkin recommended changes to the police department and called for either the resignation or firing of the chief. The decision regarding this matter ultimately rests with Mayor Bonaccorso alone.