Ocean County town hit with $1.6 million hostile workplace judgement

An Ocean County jury awarded a Berkeley Township employee $1.6 million after some municipal officials created a hostile work environment violating a state law prohibiting discrimination against people with anxiety.

Debra Reuter, a supervisor in the township’s recreation department, alleged that Berkeley officials, including Mayor Carmen Amato, retaliated against her for making internal complaints about discrimination and seeking legal advice.  The jury on Thursday awarded her $610,001 in compensatory damages and $1,000,002 in punitive damages.

Township Administrator John Camera, Recreation Director Debbie Winogracki, and Building and Grounds Supervisor Ted McFadden were also named in the lawsuit.

But the jury also rejected Reuter’s allegation that township officials discriminated against her because she was Jewish.

Berkeley Township is expected to appeal the verdict, the New Jersey Globe has learned.

Amato is running unopposed for the Republican nomination for State Senate in the safe Republican 9th district.