COUNCIL AT-LARGE ROLANDO LAVARRO CALLS FOR INVESTIGATION INTO ALLEGED ILLEGALITIES IN CITY’S FINANCE DEPARTMENT AND ALLEGED RETALIATION ON RECENTLY FIRED CFO WHISTLEBLOWER

Council At-Large Rolando Lavarro requested today for the Council to conduct a formal investigation into alleged potential illegalities within Jersey City’s Finance Department.  Lavarro sent an email to Council President Joyce Watterman and administration officials, specifically Brian Platt, Business Administrator, Peter Baker, Corporation Counsel, and Joanne Rosa, Acting Human Resources Director.

Lavarro and all nine Council Members received an email, right before its February 26 council meeting, from Lubna Muneer, former Chief Finance Officer, who alleged that she was fired from her CFO position by John Metro, Director of Finance, less than eight months from being appointed, because she did not want to file a false report and false cash position to the New Jersey State Division of Local Government Services.  Metro was appointed to his position by Mayor Fulop in December 2019.  Muneer was appointed to her position in July 2019.

“Recently we’ve seen charges of embezzlement at JCETP and the no show jobs at the Department of Recreation.  We cannot turn a blind eye to allegations of false reporting of the City’s finances, especially in light of our school funding crisis,” said Lavarro, whose calls for an investigation into the improprieties at JCETP when Sudhan Thomas was at the helm went unheeded.  “Ms. Muneer’s revelations appear very serious on face-value.  The Council should be judicious and vigilant and fully investigate the allegations, so that all the facts can come to light, and any improprieties be rectified.”

“Whether these recent allegations prove true, we need stronger protections for whistle-blowers so we can restore the public’s trust in our public institutions,” continued Lavarro.  “If what Ms. Muneer is asserting is true, that she was fired for refusing to take an illegal and/or unethical action, then we have to seriously ask if there is a systemic problem that requires ripping out the roots of corruption.”

Lavarro has requested Council President Watterman to call for an immediate special close-door session to gather and review facts and discuss corrective actions.