NEWS

Retired Vineland cop wins $726K in suit against city

Joseph P. Smith
jsmith@thedailyjournal.com

BRIDGETON – A retired Vineland police officer won a whistle-blower lawsuit against his former employer Tuesday in a verdict that means an award of more than $700,000.

Ronald Farabella, who ended his career in the Vineland Police Department last year, filed a civil lawsuit against the city of Vineland in 2010 alleging numerous police officers may be involved in illegal drug activities.

He also claimed he had reported his beliefs to superiors. As a result, Farabella said, he was given a punishment transfer and subjected to harassment and retaliatory disciplinary actions by other officers and superiors including Police Chief Timothy Codispoti.

"The jury has completely vindicated Ron for what was seven years of pain and suffering and being the target of retaliation," attorney Louis Barbone, who represented Farabella, said. "After Ron lived through hell and ended a police career he should still be in, hopefully, there is some measure of compensation that makes a difference."

Testimony in the case wrapped up Monday afternoon in Cumberland County Superior Court. The jury returned a verdict Tuesday in favor of Farabella, along with a $300,000 award for "emotional" damage and an additional $426,266 for "economic" damages.

But Farabella's compensation might end up being much higher than that.

The case resumes Thursday with further testimony for the jury and deliberations on potential punitive damages. The jury won't be asked for a specific amount of money at this stage, and can set any punitive figure at its discretion.

Codispoti could not be reached for comment Tuesday. He was called to testify during the trial, which started June 16.

City Solicitor Richard Tonetta said he was aware of the verdict but had not talked with the attorney handling the case. The firm of Sweeney & Sheehan in Westmont has represented the city in the matter.

It was unclear what portion of the award, if any, would come directly from the city's coffers or its insurance carriers.

"Ron's testimony about what the chief did and said to him was the most compelling," Barbone said about the trial testimony.

Farabella, who spent most of two days on the witness stand, testified the police chief shifted him from the narcotics unit to the Patrol Division as punishment, Barbone said..

According to the suit, Farabella first went to his superiors in March 2006 with information that he hoped would start an internal affairs investigation into "criminally involved police officers." He was assigned to the Street Crimes Unit at the time.

Around April 2006, Farabella was assigned simultaneously to the city's Narcotics Unit and the Cumberland County Prosecutor's Office Narcotics and Gang Unit.

In June 2006, Farabella said, he verbally told Sgt. Paul Shadinger what he had learned. About three months later, Farabella said, he filed a written report because he didn't see evidence that the department was taking action on his verbal report.

Following that action, he reported meeting with command staff and then the head of internal affairs about the allegations.

The head of internal affairs was Lt. Robert Romano, who later was elected mayor. Romano was called to testify at the trial.

Still concerned over a lack of action, Farabella said he then met privately with Codispoti.

Around March 2007, Farabella still was with the county unit. Informants he met through that assignment provided him with more information on specific Vineland police officers allegedly committing crimes, he said. He sent a written report based on that to the Prosecutor's Office.

Farabella said Codispoti was upset at the report to the county. The two met and afterward Codispoti ordered him suspended, according to testimony.

In September 2007, Farabella was transferred to patrol work.

Barbone said other department members at different times harassed Farabella, including a superior who cursed him.

"There wasn't any singular villain," Barbone said. "But it all started with the chief.

"Ron testified that the chief told him to shut up for a year," Barbone said. "To someone who's attempting to report something, it's the ultimate message."

Barbone believes the jury didn't think Codispoti's testimony was convincing.

"I think the jury understood that what happened to Ron made no historical sense and it was absolutely absurd the chief didn't believe what Ron was telling him orally and in writing," Barbone said.

Farabella's complaint did not name individuals as defendants. Information identifying officers allegedly involved in criminal activity and informants remains sealed under a court order.

Farabella sued under a state law meant to protect people who report wrongdoing from retaliation.