Cinnaminson Administrator Michael King files whistleblower lawsuit against township claiming retaliation
Township officials deny allegations
Cinnaminson Township Administrator and Director of Public Safety Michael “Mickey” King has accused township officials of retaliating against him for being a whistleblower in a recently filed lawsuit.
In a statement, the township denied the allegations and vowed to fight the lawsuit in court.
King’s attorney, Patricia Barasch, said the complaint, which was filed in Superior Court April 12, alleges township officials unjustly suspended King and plan to fire him for bringing to light wrongdoing and potential criminal conduct against municipal officials.
King claims in the lawsuit that township officials have violated New Jersey’s whistleblower law.
Barasch said the complaint says the disciplinary action against King is in response to information King provided to the FBI, New Jersey State Police and Burlington County Prosecutor’s Office about actions taken by Cinnaminson employees and officials that he believed could be fraudulent or criminal.
Cinnaminson Township Solicitor Kelly Grant disputed the allegations presented in King’s lawsuit.
“The Township did not engage in the conduct alleged by Mr. King,” Grant said in a statement. “This is a frivolous litigation that the Township will vigorously defend.”
Both sides said King’s future employment with the township is scheduled to be decided at the Township Committee meeting on Monday, April 16. In a news release, Barasch said Committee plans to approve a resolution firing King at the meeting.
Check cinnaminsonsun.com for updates on this story.
