NEWARK, N.J. — The free ride is over at least for awhile, Save Jerseyans.
On Tuesday, Essex County Superior Court Judge Dennis Carey ordered a one-year prohibition on the City of Newark affording police escorts for private uses. The city and Mayor Ras Baraka drew a lawsuit after city police officers were allegedly employed to escort radio personality Funkmaster Flex to Baraka’s birthday party at Newark’s Prudential Center on April 9th.
The lawsuit brought by Newark residents claiming misuse of public funds was ultimately dismissed but not before Judge Carey issued the restriction.
“To hire someone privately and use public money, I think, is questionable,” Carey concluded.
This year, Newark received about $750 million in state aid.
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