Palisades Park settles suits filed by two police officers. What about other lawsuits?

PALISADES PARK — Two police officers who filed lawsuits against the borough alleging a hostile work environment and retaliation have received promotions and settlements totaling $300,000.

Officers George Beck and his brother Christopher Beck filed suits against the borough in 2022. The settlements, approved on Dec. 30, 2024, promoted George Beck to police captain and Christopher Beck to lieutenant.

Besides the promotions, George Beck received a $175,000 settlement and his brother received $125,000.

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The settlements were the latest for the borough’s Police Department, which has a history of police officers suing, police settlements and the rotation of leadership.

During the past decade, the department has had six police chiefs and experienced a tumultuous time marked by suspensions, lawsuits and infighting. Some of the department’s troubles date back to the 1990s, when officers were found to be running a burglary ring and brought unwanted national attention.

The department is currently helmed by an officer in charge — again.

“The borough believes that settling these cases and allowing all parties to move forward amicably is in the best interests of Palisades Park taxpayers and we congratulate these officers on their promotions,” Sara Rossi, a spokesperson for the borough, said in a statement.

George Beck’s lawsuit said his “disturbing experiences” with Capt. Shawn Lee, the officer in charge of the department, began in 2016, and that he has been the target of harassment and abusive behavior since then, culminating last month when he was issued a written reprimand.

Christopher Beck’s lawsuit said Lee and a councilman created a hostile work environment and that Beck suffered permanent damage to his professional and personal reputation and was denied a merit-based promotion.

“We are of the mindset that the promotion of Chris Beck certainly was long overdue, and we deeply appreciate the current governing body taking the action it did in promoting our client to the rank of lieutenant, based upon his pure merit and fitness,” said Chris Beck’s attorney, Patrick P. Toscano Jr. “That said, Lt. Beck looks forward to assuming and performing the duties of his new position, and he will unquestionably do so with resolute distinction.”

The borough denied all allegations in the lawsuits, and Lee is no longer employed by the department.

In 2022, a prisoner escape led to an investigation of the department by the Bergen County Prosecutor’s Office. No criminal charges were filed in the prisoner escape incident, but the officer in charge at the time, Lee, retired as part of a settlement agreement and Lt. Alessandro Monteleone resigned.

Palisades Park police lawsuits and settlements

Before the latest lawsuits, the Police Department had paid out more than $2 million in settlements in just the last five years.

Before now-retired Chief Anthony Espino was promoted, the borough settled a suit with him for $40,000. Another police officer, who is still in law enforcement but not in the borough’s department, received $120,000 after he sued and alleged that Lee had harassed and bullied him from the time he was hired.

In 2021, former Police Chief Ben Ramos received $850,000 and had all disciplinary charges against him dismissed under a settlement agreement with the borough. The borough is responsible for $200,000 of the award, with the remainder paid by the Joint Insurance Fund.

There are three current police lawsuits, including one that was filed in January.

In 2023, Sgt. Marc Messing and Sgt. Dennis Pavlic filed suits against the borough claiming political interference that hindered potential promotions.

Messing received a $675,000 settlement for attorney fees, pain and suffering in 2021 after he was acquitted of forgery.

Pavlic is suing the borough and Lee, the former captain and officer in charge. Messing’s suit was filed against the borough, Mayor Chong “Paul” Kim and Councilman Suk Min.

Officer Robert DeVito filed a lawsuit against the borough, the mayor and Min on Jan. 14 claiming a hostile work environment and discrimination.

In 2020, DeVito received $600,000 and was allowed to return to his position as a police officer after he sued saying he had been fired for being gay.

This article originally appeared on NorthJersey.com: Palisades Park NJ settles two police lawsuits. What about others?

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