MARGATE – In a second personnel matter involving a potential lawsuit, City Administrator Patrick Moran’s attorney has filed a Tort Claims Notice against Commissioner of Revenue and Finance Maury Blumberg.
In a letter dated July 10, Moran’s attorney Chistopher S. Lipari of Lipari & Dieter of Pleasantville informed the city that Moran is experiencing an ongoing pattern of retaliation by city officials and employees. Claiming emotional distress, Moran is requesting compensatory and punitive damages totaling $500,000.
It is the second harassment claim filed by Margate city employees in recent months indicating not all is well at City Hall. Another city employee, Kelle Amodeo has filed a claim naming Moran, Mayor Michael Collins and other city employees for creating a hostile work environment and repeated acts of retaliation. Amodeo also claims damages totaling $500,000.
Moran was hired as city administrator on a part-time basis in October 2024, working 24 hours a week with a salary of $85,000 with no benefits. He went full-time in June and is now earning $152,500 a year with benefits.
Moran alleges that in his role as Commissioner of Revenue and Finance, Blumberg directed Moran and Qualified Purchasing Agent Roger McLarnon to prevent the award of a contract to the low bidder in a request for proposal received for janitorial services. Lipari alleges that Blumberg wanted them to pull a resolution awarding the contract from the agenda and asked that they revise the scope of work so another company he favored would get the opportunity to win the bid.
Both Moran and McLarnon contacted City Attorney John Scott Abbott who advised them Blumberg’s suggestion was illegal, the letter states.
Additionally, Moran claims that Blumberg wanted the city to incur the cost of a fine levied against former Code Enforcement Officer Jim Galantino regarding his inspection license. Again, Abbott informed city officials that would be illegal.
Since those two incidents, Blumberg has retaliated against Moran, Lipari claims in the letter.
In another incident, Moran reported a violation of Public Contracts Law by CFO Lisa McLaughlin to Blumberg, who refused to take action or discipline McLaughlin, the letter states.
Lipari noted that Blumberg said that Moran “would not fare well” if he continued disciplinary action against McLaughlin.
The letter also states that Blumberg is behind the filing of Amodeo’s claim against Moran, which he called “frivolous,” and after an investigation by a city labor attorney were labeled “unfounded,” Moran said.
The letter additionally claims that Blumberg discussed personnel issues at public meetings without issuing a Rice Notice to the employee as required by NJ Employment Law.
“Blumberg has threatened claimant (Moran) that he will take certain actions to make claimant’s life miserable,” the letter states.
Blumberg did not respond to a request for comment.
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