New Jersey Police Chief Faces Discrimination Suit Amid High-Profile Murder Case
A former officer suing Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro in Union County for retribution after reporting sexual harassment is bringing attention to the case. Battiloro’s nephew is accused with a deadly Cranford hit-and-run, drawing attention to the lawsuit.
Matthew O’Holla, the plaintiff, left the Westfield Police Department in early August after nearly ten years. After reporting unwelcome sexual advances by a colleague, the chief and other department officials responded in different ways, creating a hostile work environment, according to his complaint. Chief Battiloro and other police officers are accused.
O’Holla claims in the suit that emergency communications supervisor Dominick Sandelli began sending him anonymous, obscene text messages in March 2023. The complaint says Sandelli admitted sending such communications on a burner phone. O’Holla complained in July 2023. The lawsuit claims Sandelli continued to access critical information after his temporary suspension.
O’Holla says another complaint was filed against him shortly after his complaint, accusing him of working on his personal scooter without permission during work hours. The suit claims Sandelli requested surveillance video public records to pressure O’Holla. The complaint argues that the chief dismissed O’Holla’s retaliatory claims as mutual animosity without investigating.
According to the lawsuit, Battiloro relocated O’Holla from a traffic safety post to patrol duties under greater supervision, approved unfavorable performance ratings, and started a performance improvement plan. Battiloro advised police leadership and union representatives that O’Holla “deserves this,” alluding to the disciplinary measures. The complaint alleges that these evaluations violated department policy and were used to punish him.
The lawsuit claims Battiloro twice requested a criminal inquiry into O’Holla’s “theft of time” from the Union County Prosecutor, but officials denied both requests. The complaint says those charges prevented O’Holla’s promotion to sergeant. According to the suit, O’Holla was treated differently as a Coast Guard Reserve noncommissioned officer since his military attendance was closely vetted and a long-standing drill time pay policy was repealed.
O’Holla was also investigated by internal affairs after a welfare check of a township resident, who was found alive and died days later, resulting in restrictions on his activities. After inquiries, he was told the boss wanted to suspend or fire him. O’Holla resigned because he believed returning from suspension would encourage career suicide.
The lawsuit contends that Battiloro sought a town council ban on settlement with O’Holla and tried to hamper his Union County Prosecutor aspirations. The complaint alleges New Jersey Law Against Discrimination breaches.
Beyond this case, Chief Battiloro has been under fire. In a Cranford hit-and-run crash that killed two young girls riding an e-bike, his 17-year-old nephew Vincent faces two murder charges. Chief Battiloro, who lives on the same street as one of the victims, publicly mourned the tragedy, condemned his relative, and said he would not defend the murder.
The mayor called the lawsuit and its timing “opportunistic” and expressed confidence in the chief’s skills and integrity. The mayor promised the town will firmly contest the claims. Internal police punishment, retribution accusations, and the strain public officials may feel when personal and professional lives cross during a high-profile criminal case are raised by the case.
Sources
People (news on lawsuit & nephew case)
NJ.com article on lawsuit and elder case
