Mob-linked dumping suit

[Wiseguy]

Suit claims Bergen business magnate dumped chemicals on Meadowlands site
By Dan Ivers | NJ Advance Media, for NJ.com
March 28, 2015


A federal lawsuit claims a recycling company owned by business magnate Joseph Sanzari illegally dumped tons of chemicals into a Meadowlands-area property in North Bergen.

NORTH BERGEN — A recently filed lawsuit accuses a Bergen County business magnate of illegally dumping tons of chemicals on a protected area of the Meadowlands in North Bergen, and covering it up to avoid penalties from the state.

Allendale-based AMA Realty filed the suit against Joseph Sanzari and his son-in-law, Timothy Murray in U.S. District Court on Jan. 23.

The suit claims that in late 2006, the two parties agreed to a 10-year lease that would allow Sanzari and Murray to store equipment on an AMA-owned plot on Fairview Avenue. Sanzari and Murrya were partners in North Bergen Recycling, an asphalt and concrete recycling facility that operated out of an adjacent property.

AMA claims that the company proceeded to dump more than 6,000 cubic meters of hazardous chemicals on the property and nearby waterways, violating the terms of the lease as well as state and federal regulations. The site is at the edge of the Meadowlands, and is adjacent to Bellman's Creek and Wolf's Creek — both of which are tributaries to the Hackensack River.

According to the suit, North Bergen Recycling capped and graded the property in an attempt to conceal the dumping from both AMA and government agencies. The suit alleges that the dumping has altered slopes and runoff patterns on the property, which has led to flooding and rendered it virtually useless.

Lastly, AMA alleges that Sanzari and Murray hired Pennsylvania-based Pure Earth Resources to help manage the site. Pure Earth has been revealed to have connections to organized crime in New York City and elsewhere.

An attorney for Sanzari, Timothy E. Corriston of Roseland firm Connell Foley, spoke to The Record on Wednesday, calling the suit "fluff" and "a landlord-tenant dispute that's been overblown."

He also denied that Sanzari left any contamination on the property.

Sanzari's Hackensack-based construction company has won hundreds of millions in state and federal contracts in recent years, including work on the Xanadu entertainment complex in East Rutherford (now known as the American Dream Meadowlands).

He has also donated million to local organizations, including Hackensack University Medical Center, where the children's hospital bears his name.

http://www.nj.com/bergen/index.ssf/2013 ... _site.html



Judge won't bar 'mob' references in Sanzari suit
BY LINH TAT
STAFF WRITER | THE RECORD
March 27, 2015


NEWARK - A federal judge has denied a bid by attorneys for Joseph M. Sanzari for an order that would have barred his opponents in a civil lawsuit from making public any statements linking the prominent public works contractor to alleged criminal conduct or Mafia-related activities.

Sanzari and two of his companies are accused of dumping 6,000 cubic meters of hazardous waste on a leased property in North Bergen, according to a 2013 lawsuit filed by the landlord, AMA Realty of Allendale. It alleged the waste came from an asphalt-recycling operation next door that the defendants owned.

Sanzari's lawyers - who have denied any wrongdoing by their client or his companies - argued that Sanzari was being defamed by references to such terms as "Mafia," "organized crime," "mob" and "crime scene" made by the plaintiff in pursuit of its lawsuit, which is based in part on the federal Racketeer Influenced and Corrupt Organizations Act.

The law, a key weapon for federal prosecutors battling organized crime, may also be used by private parties in civil cases who claim they have been damaged by an ongoing "enterprise" or racket. Successful claimants are allowed to collect triple damages.

Judge Steven C. Mannion wrote, in an opinion dated March 23, that there is usually another means for addressing claims of defamation other than an injunction, also pointing out that he had not been provided sufficient information to determine that Sanzari had indeed been defamed.

The judge then reminded both parties that they are to handle themselves properly during litigation and, citing prior case law, reminded them that the court has the authority to sanction individuals "who fail to meet minimum standards of conduct."

"This litigation is still in its discovery stage and the disputes between the parties and counsel have likely only begun," Mannion wrote. "Each should also be tempered in their conduct and understand that litigation immunity has its limits."

John Daniels, an attorney for AMA, said Thursday that they were pleased with the judge's opinion.

"It enables Plaintiff to prosecute his case in an open manner," Daniels said. "But Plaintiff is also sensitive to Judge Mannion's comments and is guided accordingly."

When reached for a comment Thursday, Henry Klingeman, attorney for Sanzari, said, "We will continue to pursue the case in court."

http://www.northjersey.com/news/judge-w ... -1.1297347