Former West New York Recreation Director Files Lawsuit Alleging Political Retaliation

Jorge E. Gomez, who served as Recreation Director in West New York, has filed a federal lawsuit claiming he was fired for supporting a political opponent of Mayor Albio Sires during the 2023 municipal election.

Filed on April 2 in U.S. District Court, the complaint names the town, Mayor Sires, Municipal Administrator Luis Baez, Commissioner Marielka Diaz, and Human Resources Director Kelly Schweitzer as defendants. The suit claims Gomez’s dismissal was politically motivated and violated his constitutional rights.

According to the filing, Gomez’s support for then-Commissioner Cosmo Cirillo during the 2023 municipal election was “well known by all defendants.” The lawsuit states Gomez “became actively involved in and supported Mr. Cirillo’s campaign in late 2022,” engaging in petition circulation, canvassing, fundraising, and event coordination.

Gomez asserts all campaign activities occurred “outside of his working hours and took place outside the Town’s facilities.” Despite that, he alleges, “Mayor Sires, Baez, Schweitzer conspired with one another and acted in concert with each other in the scheme to terminate plaintiff’s employment in retaliation for his political activities.”

Gomez was terminated on May 16, 2023, just hours after the town’s new administration was sworn in. The lawsuit states Schweitzer delivered a termination letter signed by Baez at approximately 3:30 p.m. that day.

A request for comment regarding the lawsuit was sent to the Mayor’s Office, the article will be updated.