Parsippany-Troy Hills council directs attorney to draft censure resolution after public allegations about councilman’s use of office
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Summary
After public comments alleging a councilman used his position to influence a traffic stop, the Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council voted to direct the township attorney to prepare a resolution of censure and forward a video to appropriate authorities for review.
The Parsippany-Troy Hills Township Council on March 4 voted to direct the township attorney to prepare a resolution of censure against Councilman Justin Musella and to forward a video of a traffic stop to appropriate authorities for review.
The action followed several members of the public accusing Musella of improperly using his council credentials during a traffic stop and asking the council or outside authorities to investigate. Township Attorney Michael Lavery told the council that, if the allegations were true, the conduct could violate the local government ethics law: “You can’t hand credentials and get special treatment from a police officer when they pull you over,” he said during the meeting.
Why it matters: Council members said they wanted an independent determination rather than handling the allegation informally at the dais. Supporters and critics of Musella spoke during public comment: some urged ethics charges and resignation, while others described problems in town that they said Musella had tried to help address. Musella defended his record and said the censure effort was political: “I will not be silenced and I will not be bullied,” he told the council.
What council debated: During an extended public-comment period, multiple residents named statutes and asked the council to pursue an ethics probe. Lavery advised that the state Division of Local Government Services (DCA) and other agencies, not the council itself, typically handle investigatory or disciplinary processes arising from alleged violations of the local government ethics law. Councilmembers discussed whether the issue should go to closed session; the council ultimately debated and then voted in public to send the matter to the township attorney for a formal draft resolution and to forward evidentiary materials to relevant authorities.
Formal action and immediate outcome: Councilmember Pete Neglia moved to direct the township attorney to prepare a resolution of censure for “abuse of power” related to the alleged attempt to avoid a traffic ticket, and to forward the video to appropriate authorities. The motion was seconded. After roll-call voting, the motion passed; the council president declared the motion approved and asked the attorney to prepare the draft resolution.
What proponents and critics said: Several speakers urged an investigation under local statutory provisions. Resident Tony Fasao cited NJSA 40A:19-22.5 (as he read it) and called for ethics charges; another resident, Siobhan Fuller McConnell, cited NJSA 2C:30-2 and asked officials to refer the matter to state authorities. Other residents said Musella had helped them with local problems and urged restraint from political attacks. Musella repeatedly said he had not sought special treatment and that the circulating video was edited for political effect.
Next steps: The township attorney was directed to prepare a draft censure resolution and the council asked that any available video evidence be forwarded to the appropriate authorities for vetting. The council did not take disciplinary action at the meeting itself; preparation of the resolution and any subsequent formal review or external investigation were left to later procedure.
Votes at a glance: Motion directing the attorney to prepare a censure resolution and forward the video — Motion: direct attorney to prepare resolution of censure and forward video to appropriate authorities. Mover: Pete Neglia. Second: Michael McGrath. Outcome: approved (motion passed in roll-call vote).
