PLUMSTED TOWNSHIP, NJ — A longtime municipal employee has filed a lawsuit against the Township of Plumsted and Mayor Dominick Cuozzo, alleging years of gender-based discrimination, political retaliation, and whistleblower harassment, according to newly filed court documents.
Cuozzo is a close ally of New Jersey candidate for governor, Bill Spadea, and Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore.
Key Points
- Jennifer Witham alleges she was removed from her role as Business Administrator due to gender bias and political retaliation
- The lawsuit accuses Mayor Cuozzo of discriminatory conduct and retaliation after complaints about election law violations
- The suit includes claims under New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, Conscientious Employee Protection Act, and Civil Rights Act
Lawsuit alleges retaliation, discriminatory practices
Jennifer Witham, a Plumsted resident and employee since 2011, filed a complaint in Ocean County Superior Court alleging she faced ongoing retaliation and discriminatory treatment from township officials after raising concerns about election conduct and making internal complaints against Cuozzo.
Witham claims the trouble began when Cuozzo, a local pastor, ran for Township Committee in 2021 and allegedly engaged in inappropriate and potentially unlawful behavior at polling locations.
Witham, then Business Administrator and Municipal Clerk, reported the conduct to the Ocean County Board of Elections and later expressed concerns about Cuozzo’s views toward women in a written complaint to the Township Attorney.
Claims of gender discrimination and political bias
The 49-page complaint outlines a detailed account of Cuozzo’s alleged pattern of discriminatory behavior, citing remarks and actions tied to his religious beliefs and perceived disdain for women in authority. Witham accuses Cuozzo of targeting her for removal from her administrative role, replacing her with less-qualified male candidates without transparent hiring practices.
Among the allegations are claims that Cuozzo publicly discredited Witham’s job performance, refused to interview her during a hiring process, and ultimately supported the appointment of a male administrator despite Witham’s superior experience.
Last month, the township responded to the lawsuits, citing on most counts, “There is insufficient knowledge and information, despite reasonable inquiry, to either admit or deny the allegations.”
Legal violations cited in complaint
The suit charges the township and Cuozzo with violating multiple state laws, including the New Jersey Law Against Discrimination, the Conscientious Employee Protection Act (CEPA), and the New Jersey Civil Rights Act. Witham is seeking compensatory, consequential, and punitive damages, along with attorney’s fees and other relief deemed just by the court.
The complaint also states that an internal investigation partially substantiated Witham’s claims in 2023, confirming that Cuozzo made inappropriate comments about her perceived political views and violated New Jersey’s Open Public Meetings Act.
Broader workplace concerns raised
Witham further alleges a broader pattern of bias within township government, noting that male replacements were hired at higher rates after female department heads resigned, and that she was made to perform administrator duties without compensation after the resignation of her successor.
Cuozzo and the Township of Plumsted have not yet filed a response to the civil complaint, which was formally submitted on December 11, 2024.
