Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso Charged with Official Misconduct and Other Crimes

The charges stem from an investigation into Bonaccorso's use of racial slurs and sexist remarks, which led to a $400,000 settlement with a whistleblower.

Clark Township Mayor Salvatore Bonaccorso has been criminally charged with official misconduct, records tampering, witness tampering, forgery and falsifying records in connection to the improper removal of underground storage tanks by his landscaping company.
The charges stem from an investigation into Bonaccorso's use of racial slurs and sexist remarks, which were secretly recorded and led to a $400,000 settlement with the whistleblower, police Lt. Antonio Manata.
Despite the evidence of Bonaccorso's racist and sexist remarks, the state Office of Public Integrity and Accountability did not bring criminal charges related to these incidents.
New Jersey Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin has recommended the termination of Police Chief Pedro Matos and internal affairs head Sgt. Joseph Teston, who were also implicated in the scandal.
Bonaccorso has resisted calls to resign and his term as mayor runs through December 2024.