Freehold, NJ — A years-long legal battle over widespread water damage in the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office has ended with a $4 million settlement after persistent leaks forced the county into litigation against the construction and design firms behind the building.
The 100,000-square-foot, four-story facility — completed in 2013 and partially occupied under temporary permits — suffered water infiltration across offices, meeting rooms, and common areas almost immediately after occupancy. The issues, which county officials say stemmed from construction and design flaws, triggered a 2019 lawsuit seeking damages for what was described as a failure to deliver a structurally sound public building.
The lawsuit named APS Contracting, Inc., and others involved in the building’s development, citing construction defects, design failures, professional malpractice, and contract breaches. The county’s complaint accused the parties of undermining the integrity of the taxpayer-funded facility, ultimately impacting the functioning of a vital legal institution.
Litigation lasted nearly six years before mediation led to a proposed settlement of $4 million, contingent upon final approval from the Monmouth County Board of County Commissioners. The resolution, passed by the board, formally accepts the settlement and ends the dispute over one of the county’s most problematic construction projects in recent memory.
The office, which cost tens of millions to build, has remained operational throughout, though repairs and ongoing maintenance to address water-related damage have reportedly continued since the facility’s opening. The settlement is intended to cover damages sustained as a result of the initial building defects and does not preclude the county from future maintenance or enhancements.
No admission of liability was included in the settlement agreement, and all parties agreed to resolve the matter to avoid further litigation costs and delays.
Key Points
- Monmouth County settled for $4 million over widespread water damage at the Prosecutor’s Office.
- The lawsuit, filed in 2019, alleged construction defects and design failures following a 2011 contract with APS Contracting.
- The four-story government building experienced leaks and damage from the time it opened in 2013.
A leaky prosecutor’s office built for justice turned into a courtroom battleground of its own.