Hackensack United for Progress renews call for criminal charges in                  Labrosse/Canestrino misuse of public funds scandal 

HACKENSACK, NJ – Hackensack United for Progress Campaign Manager Caseen Gaines is renewing his call for Bergen County Prosecutor Gurbir S. Grewal to file criminal charges against Mayor John Labrosse and Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino for their illegal use of Hackensack taxpayer funds for a political mailing promoting their candidacies. The six page glossy brochure featured the two candidates and was paid for out of the City budget costing taxpayers thousands of dollars.

It was the fourth mailing paid for by taxpayers that appeared political in nature but was the first with the proof to support a criminal prosecution. Gaines laid out that proof in his letter to the Prosecutor. “The acts of corruption by these officials are becoming more frequent and more outrageous,” said Gaines, referring to the scandal-plagued Labrosse Administration. “Paying your campaign expenses out of the City budget is not only illegal but it’s a flagrant slap in the face to every taxpayer who rightfully expects their tax dollars to be spent on legitimate City expenses.”

After Gaines laid out the proof that the taxpayer funded mailing was sent only to registered voters, the Labrosse/Canestrino Team public relations consultant admitted it was true. Labrosse had no comment on the matter, possibly on the advice of his attorney. Gaines noted that with Swibinski’s admission, the criminal complaints should move quickly.

What was also troubling was that the Labrosse Administration used taxpayer money to purchase that list which contained private personal information on 12,041 Hackensack residents, including their religion, ethnicity, language, income, age, date of birth, political party affiliation and multi-year voting history.

“The way that the Labrosse Administration tramples on Civil Rights is disgraceful,” said Gaines. “It is why taxpayers have paid a fortune to settle lawsuits provoked by their actions.” Mayor Labrosse and Deputy Mayor Canestrino have been sued for ethnic and racial slurs, and for unlawful acts of retaliation against employees and even against a Council colleague.

Hackensack United for Progress candidates Lara Rodriguez, Jason Some, Michael Williams, Carlos Merino and Rommy Buttafuoco have announced that upon taking office, they will immediately introduce an ordinance to create a local Ethics Board to ensure that a mechanism is in place to prevent the kinds of abuses that are commonplace in the Labrosse/Canestrino Administration.

The Hackensack United for Progress candidates have a long history of community service and are eager to restore honest and responsible government to Hackensack. They plan to increase ratables through responsible development and end the reckless borrowing that is destroying Hackensack’s future. They plan to hire and promote employees based on merit and put an end to the cronyism and unlawful conduct of the Labrosse/Canestrino Administration.

Hackensack United for Progress is a broad-based coalition of residents, merchants and organizations united to end the chaos and corruption of the past four years and put Hackensack back on the path to success as a community.