Ex-rival accuses Bhalla of “bait and switch”

A former opponent says that Hoboken Mayor Ravi Bhalla has broken his promise to serve as a full-time mayor and wants him to disclose his employment agreement with his new law firm.

Councilman Mike DeFusco, who lost a mayoral bid last year, says that Bhalla has pulled a “bait and switch” when he said he would devote his full-time attention to being mayor.

Bhalla recently became Of Counsel at Lavery, Selvaggi, Abromitis & Cohen.  He had to leave his job at Florio, Perucci, Steinhardt & Fader to avoid conflicts of interest, since the firm had clients who did business with the city.

“Obviously, Mayor Bhalla has broken his promise to be a full-time mayor for the people of Hoboken, but what’s even more troubling are the many ties between his old firm and his new one,” said DeFusco. “At a time when our city faces a litany of different issues and challenges, like finishing Washington Street, connecting our waterfront and reducing traffic, residents deserve a full-time mayor, not someone whose attention will be divided.”

As mayor, Bhalla earns $116,100 annually.