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PAY-TO-PLAY IN UNION CITY; HOW POLITICAL LOYALTY OVERRULED MERIT, ACCOUNTABILITY, AND EVEN DEATH INSIDE THE POLICE DEPARTMENT

But the current Estrella lawsuit, now further escalates in court, alleges that behind that image operated a pay-to-play political system in which…

Published

5 months ago

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For years, Union City has promoted an image of order, professionalism, and public safety. But the current Estrella lawsuit, now further escalates in court, alleges that behind that image operated a pay-to-play political system in which police promotions, discipline, protection, and even EMS leadership were dictated not by merit — but by political loyalty to Mayor and State Senator Brian Stack.

This is not an isolated employment dispute. The Estrella case consolidates and builds upon decades of litigation, sworn pleadings, discovery, depositions and firsthand testimony alleging that officers who donated money, volunteered time, or otherwise supported the Mayor’s political organization were rewarded, while those who did not were punished or frozen out.

THE ESTRELLA LAWSUIT: THE CENTRAL, ACTIVE CASE

The Estrella filings are the most comprehensive articulation yet of how the alleged system functioned. They proceed item by item, detailing:

-Promotions allegedly granted despite serious disciplinary histories,

-Discipline allegedly imposed selectively to block promotion eligibility,

– Internal affairs allegedly used as a political weapon,

– Special assignments and extra compensation allegedly given as political rewards.

Most importantly, the Estrella case relies on prior litigation — including a federal wrongful-death lawsuit — as comparator evidence, even though the names of officers in those prior cases are redacted in the Estrella pleadings.

REDACTIONS IN ESTRELLA — AND HOW THE OFFICERS ARE IDENTIFIABLE

A key feature of the Estrella filings is that names of officers connected to prior lawsuits and pay-to-play allegations are redacted. The complaint does not re-litigate earlier cases; instead, it uses them to demonstrate disparate treatment and political protection.

However:

The Estrella filings describe the underlying facts in detail Those descriptions match publicly available cases by date, role, and outcome. Through standard legal research — comparing pleadings, verdicts, appellate opinions, and dockets — the identities of most redacted officers can be determined.

This is especially true with respect to the wrongful-death lawsuit, which plays a central role in the Estrella narrative.

THE WRONGFUL-DEATH LAWSUIT BECOMES PART OF THE ESTRELLA CASE

The Estrella pleadings specifically reference and rely upon a federal wrongful-death case involving Union City police officers, using it as comparator evidence to show political favoritism and protection.

That case corresponds to Rosario v. City of Union City Police Department, where a man died in police custody after officers allegedly failed to provide adequate medical care, resulting in a multi-million-dollar jury verdict.

Although names are redacted in Estrella, the facts described align with officers named in that litigation, including:

– Lt. Glen Gaston

– Retired Lt. Sergio DeRojas

– Retired Officer Juan Mendez

– Retired Lt. Juan Loaces

The Estrella lawsuit emphasizes that officers connected to a case involving loss of life were allegedly not sidelined, demoted, or barred from advancement, while non-aligned officers were disciplined aggressively for far less.

WHY THE WRONGFUL-DEATH CASE MATTERS IN ESTRELLA

The wrongful-death case is used for a precise purpose:

to show that political loyalty, not accountability, governed outcomes.

The contrast alleged is stark:

Officers connected to a wrongful-death verdict were allegedly protected and favored. Officers who did not support the Mayor politically were allegedly:

-Suspended for minor or technical issues,

-Investigated without proper procedures

-Blocked from promotion despite seniority and merit.

The Estrella case argues that if even a wrongful-death verdict did not interrupt advancement, discipline was never the real standard — political allegiance was.

BRADY / GIGLIO DISCLOSURE AND POLITICAL SHIELDING

The Estrella filings further allege that some politically favored officers — including those identifiable through cross-referenced litigation — were subject to Brady/Giglio disclosure obligations, requiring prosecutors to disclose credibility or impeachment issues in criminal cases.

Despite this, the lawsuit alleges:

-No meaningful career consequences

-No removal from sensitive assignments

-No bar to promotion or special appointments

Again, the allegation is not criminal guilt — it is institutional tolerance tied to political loyalty.

ITEM 72: EMS USED AS A POLITICAL REWARD

The Estrella complaint extends the alleged pay-to-play system beyond police promotions and into Emergency Medical Services.

Item 72 alleges that police officers who financially supported the Mayor’s political organization were also appointed Director of EMS:

-Without a competitive hiring process,

-Without interviews,

-Without resumes,

– and even without any medical training, education or experience.

With approximately $10,000 per year in additional compensation; While duties allegedly overlapped with full-time police responsibilities

Police Captain Michael J. Bergbauer (Current)

Based on firsthand testimony, Captain Michael J. Bergbauer is identified as the current Director of EMS, while simultaneously serving as a police captain.

EMS — a life-and-death public service — is alleged to have been treated as a political reward, not a merit-based appointment.

SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS — AND PROMOTION DESPITE REPORTING

The Estrella filings also describe serious allegations of sexual misconduct by a police superior, followed not by accountability, but by promotion.

According to the pleadings and related materials, one of the redacted comparator officers was accused by a civilian police employee of being forced to perform oral sex on a supervising officer. The allegations further state that:

The victim formally reported the incident. The report was made to police superiors and the Chief of Police. The matter was brought to the attention of Mayor Brian Stack Despite the report, the supervising officer was not removed, disciplined, or sidelined. Instead, the officer was later promoted.

The Estrella pleadings include this allegation to demonstrate selective tolerance and protection for favored officers — even where the alleged conduct involved abuse of authority and coercion.

Identification of the Redacted Officer

While the Estrella filings redact the officer’s name, the victim previously provided a copy of her complaint, referenced among the article’s source materials. In that complaint, the victim identifies the supervising officer corresponding to the redacted Estrella files, reference as Retired Lt. Sergio De Rojas.

The Estrella lawsuit alleges that even allegations of coerced sexual conduct did not impede advancement, reinforcing the central claim that political loyalty, not conduct or accountability, governed promotion decisions and upon retirement, a six figure salary position within the Union City Board of Education.

THE BERGBAUER FAMILY CONTEXT: ITEM 23 IN FIGUEROA

Earlier litigation reinforces the Estrella narrative. In Michael Figueroa v. Brian Stack, Item 23 references Captain Michael Bergbauer Sr., a captain in the 1990s and father of the current Captain Michael J. Bergbauer.

That complaint alleges that Bergbauer Sr;

In February of 1996, then Patrol Division Captain Michael Bergbauer asked Plaintiff if he would like to go to the Detective Bureau (“DB”). When Plaintiff affirmed that he would, he was told he should know there were “extra curricular activities involved.” Plaintiff understood this to mean that the change in position would require his political involvement in the form of campaigning for the mayor, participating in charitable events, and buying tickets to political fundraising events. Plaintiff understood that financial contributions would be required to show political support and affiliation with the mayor in exchange for the reward of promotions.

The relevance is to show Bergbauer Sr. historical and traditional political manipulation of police leadership is alleged to span generations. The Bergbauer name appearing both historically and in the current Estrella pay-to-play allegations involving EMS and police leadership.

A LONG TRAIL OF LITIGATION, ONE CONSISTENT THEME

The Estrella lawsuit ties together — directly or by detailed reference — multiple prior cases, including:

-The Rosario wrongful-death lawsuit Figueroa (political retaliation)

-Ruiz and related appellate cases (political association claims)

While each case stands on its own procedurally, the Estrella filings allege a single, consistent theme:

Refusal to serve the Mayor’s political narrative carried professional consequences.

CONCLUSION

The Estrella lawsuit is not about one promotion. It is about a system alleged to have:

– Rewarded political loyalty over merit,

– Shielded favored officers even after a wrongful-death verdict,

– Tolerated severe misconduct allegations without consequence,

– Extended patronage into EMS leadership,

– Weaponized discipline against dissent.

By referencing prior lawsuits with names redacted — yet factually identifiable — the Estrella filings make a blunt claim:

Even death, and even allegations of grave abuse, did not break the political protection.

As this case proceeds, Union City is forced to confront a question it can no longer avoid:

Were its police and emergency services serving the public — or a political machine?

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THE DETAILS!  EXPLOSIVE LAWSUIT BOMBSHELL DETAILS OF THE MASSIVE SEXUAL ABUSE SCANDAL IN Corrupt MAYOR BRIAN STACK’s UNION CITY, NJ SCHOOLS!

A total of 50+ teachers and administrators so far have been accused of sexually assaulting Union City, NJ students and covering up for the sexual repetitive teachers AND Leroy Truth has the list.

Published

2 days ago

on

May 23, 2026

By

UNION CITY, NJ MAYOR AND SENATOR BRIAN STACK SILENT BUT ALLEGEDLY SET-UP INDEPENDENT INVESTIGATIVE JOURNALIST | LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS THE MASSIVE SEX SCANDAL

Leroy Truth was ARRESTED AND FALSELY CHARGED with a false felony of aggravated assault against a police officer which did not happen which video proves however, Leroy Truth was still arrested and and sent to Hudson County Jail where he is fighting these false charges presently.

Of important note, Leroy Truth started investigating and massive allegations corruption against Union City, NJ Mayer who is also simultaneously in New Jersey State Senator Brian stack on December 1, 2024, Mayor Brian Saga has had over 31 false criminal charges put against Leroy Truth in an attempt to stop him from continuing his investigation and reporting.

However, Leroy Truth cannot be stopped cannot be bought cannot be intimidated and he has committed to protecting the children of Union City, NJ Bayonne, NJ and the children of the United States of America from sexual predator teachers and any and all sexual predators.

Of extremely important note: 28 out of the 31 false charges have been completely dismissed which had been brought against Leroy Truth with three more still pending.

This is exactly what dictators do in Cuba and Russia and North Korea however, that is allegedly exactly what corrupt Union City, NJ Mayer and NJ State Senator in NJ Senator judiciary committee Brian Stack is doing to try to stop Leroy Truth from exposing these extreme crimes against children!

CAUGHT IN A NIGHTMARE OF MASSIVE TEACHER SEXUAL MISCONDUCT ALLEGATIONS AGAINST A MINOR STUDENT — FULL DETAILS STRAIGHT FROM THE COURT COMPLAINT!

A total of OVER 50 Union City, NJ teachers AND ADMINISTRATORS so far have been accused of sexually assaulting Union City, NJ students WERE COVERING UP FOR THE SEXUAL COMPETITOR TEACHERS AND Leroy Truth has the list.

A LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS EXCLUSIVE!

SHOCKING TWIST! MAYOR BRIAN STACK HAD LEROY TRUTH ARRESTED FOR INVESTIGATING AND REPORTING ON THE SEXUAL ASSAULT ALLEGATIONS if you’re trying to protect the Union City, NJ School children from the alleged sexual predators!

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EXTREMELY IMPORTANT NOTE: MAYOR BRIAN STACK HAS TARGETED Independent Investigative Journalist Leroy Truth to try to stop Leroy from protecting the unit city, NJ school children and trying to stop Leroy Truth from continuing to investigate and report on these extremely disturbing allegations against Union City, NJ teachers!

Union City, NJ Mayor and Senator Brian Stack, in an attempt to STOP Leroy Truth from continuing to investigate and report on these extremely disturbing allegations, had Leroy Truth arrested and falsely charged with a felony of aggravated assault against a police officer which did NOT happen.

Leroy Truth was Live-streaming on his YouTube channel when he was arrested and falsely charged with crimes he did NOT commit and LEROY TRUTH HAS VIDEO PROOF that there was absolutely no assault against the Union City Police officer as EVERYTHING was recorded by Leroy Truth as it was happening.

Leroy Truth is looking at five years in state prison if found guilty of a crime he did NOT commit For simply doing his job as an investigative journalist.

Also, Leroy Truth knows what these electric victims as he is also a sexual assault survivor and was sexually assaulted by a Catholic priest for four years when he was an altar boy starting at the age of 7 years old.

A grand jury in Hudson County is scheduled to convene on March 30th, 2026 to decide if they will INDICT Leroy Truth an innocent man who was arrested and falsely charged for trying to protect the Union City, NJ school children from sexual predator teachers.

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Read the EXTREMELY DISTURBING details BELOW OF EXACTLY WHAT THE UNION CITY, NJ TEACHERS AND ADMINISTRATORS ARE ACCUSED OF directly from the lawsuit!

Why every single one of these teachers has not been immediately suspended and why Union City, NJ Mayor and Senator Brian Stack, the Union City Board of Education and Superintendent Sylvia ABBATO have not done an immediate press conference about these extremely serious and disturbing allegations is absolutely insane!

If you are a parent of a Union City, NJ STUDENT, are you comfortable sending YOUR children to school???

A brave 34-year-old survivor, G.R., has filed a powerful civil lawsuit in Superior Court of New Jersey (Bergen County) against the Union City School District, Union City Board of Education, and multiple Emerson High School (now Union City High School) staff.

She was 16 years old when the grooming and abuse began in WHILE A STUDENT AT UNION CITY, NEW JERSEY SCHOOL’S in 2008.

Francisco Lindo already pled guilty to 2nd-degree endangering the welfare of a child and served 5 years in prison.

But the complaint accuses MANY MORE Union City TEACHERS and ADMINISTRATORS of participating, enabling, harassing, or covering it up while the school did NOTHING.

Here is an ITEMIZED BREAKDOWN of EVERY SINGLE TEACHER & ADMINISTRATOR and EVERY ACCUSATION against them — pulled directly from the Lawsuit Complaint:

FRANCISCO LINDO – Math Teacher Groomed, sexually abused, and assaulted the minor plaintiff starting ~2008. Sent her romantic Spanish songs, made her stay after school to “grade papers,” sat next to her in class and touched her leg, had sexual intercourse with her inside Emerson High School classrooms (multiple times, including the week of June 22, 2008), texted her to meet in classrooms for sex during school hours, sent naked and suggestive pictures, followed and stalked her around school when she tried to stop, continued the sexual relationship outside school, bragged to other staff that he had a sexual relationship with her, and created an environment of fear and exploitation. Plaintiff personally told the nurse’s clerk Eugenia Vallejo; Lindo was arrested and pled guilty.

Note: everything written below are allegations and no statements of fact are being made here. All information in this Facebook post has been taken directly from the lawsuit filed by Union City, NJ former student known only as G.R.

EDWIN MARINEZ – Assistant Principal allegedly made sexual advances toward the minor plaintiff.

Became hostile and retaliatory toward her when his advances were rejected and after Lindo was arrested for abusing her.

Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.

IMPORTANT NOTE: Union City, NJ assistant principal EDWIN MARINEZ married one of his students as soon as she turned 18 which the student shared directly to Leroy Truth in his Facebook comments.

EDWIN MARINEZ has also been accused of having sexual relationships with numerous Union City, NJ students as well as allegedly threatening some of them who said no to his advances if they told anyone.

EDWIN MARINEZ is also accused of exposing hisHudson County Prosecutor’s OfficeNorth Bergen Police DepartmentnMikie SherrilleGovernor Mikie SherrilltMike RodriguezhLea DeMarations ranging from at least 1994 to 2017.

According to alleged victims of EDWIN MARINEZ including Union City Emerson High School graduates Jonathon Almeida and Michael Torres and others, according to the alleged victims, they claim that EDWIN MARINEZ would gather all of the football players into a huddle and then say things like, “ Who wants to see my dick?

And they claim Coach Edwin MARINEZ would “whip his dick out “and show the children and then whoever he caught looking at it, he would allegedlylabel them the “gay kid for the day “and then the other kids would make fun of the children who EDWIN MARINEZ would “CATCH LOOKING AT HIS DICK”. These are quotes from the alleged victims.

STEVE HANAK – Teacher allegedly Lifted up the minor plaintiff’s shirt and made sexually charged comments about her body after learning she had a sexual relationship with Lindo. On or around October 12, 2008, plaintiff personally informed him about Lindo’s grooming and abuse — he did nothing.

Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Failed to take any action after plaintiff emailed him alerting him to the sexually explicit misconduct happening in school.

Also engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior, made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.

MARK RYAN – English Teacher allegedly Secretly recorded a video on his camera between the minor plaintiff’s legs during a school presentation and shared it with other staff members (Lindo told plaintiff it upset him because he wanted her exclusively).

Plaintiff emailed him directly alerting him to the “sexually explicit instances” occurring in Emerson High School — he took zero action.

Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Also engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior, made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.

DENNIS MCMULLEN – Teacher allegedly Told the minor plaintiff he had erectile dysfunction and that “she could help him with that issue.”

Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior toward the minor plaintiff. Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted her. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.

CRAIG LAPIERRE – Teacher allegedly Pursued his own sexual relationship with the minor plaintiff after he knew she had already been groomed, harassed, and assaulted by Lindo. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior.

Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.

GREG CAMPBELL – Teacher allegedly Openly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior.

Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff. Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.

GEORGE MORALES – Teacher Openly allegedly discussed with other staff “what he would do if he had the chance to have sex with” the minor plaintiff. Engaged in inappropriate and predatory behavior. Made further sexual advances, groomed, sexually harassed, and assaulted the minor plaintiff.

Participated in creating an environment of fear, harassment, and exploitation.

ROBERT FAZIO – Principal As principal during the entire period of abuse, he allegedly knew or should have known about the constant sexual grooming, contact, harassment, and assaults happening inside his school (including classrooms during school hours) yet failed to investigate, stop it, protect the student, report it, or take any action whatsoever.

The superintendent of Union City Schools has been ALSO been implicated in this lawsuit though he has not been named.

UNION CITY SCHOOL DISTRICT & UNION CITY BOARD OF EDUCATION Knew or should have known about everything above, failed to supervise, failed to report under NJ mandatory child-abuse laws, created and condoned a culture that tolerated teacher-student sexual relationships, concealed evidence, took no reasonable safeguards, allowed the abuse to continue for years, and even made their own sexually explicit videos of the minor plaintiff for their gratification.

The lawsuit is brought under the NJ Childhood Sexual Abuse Act and demands massive compensatory + punitive damages. The survivor says the trauma destroyed her mental health, trust, relationships, education — she had to flee to Florida to escape the targeting and gossip at college.

WHY HAVEN’T THESE TEACHERS BEEN SUSPENDED? WHY IS MAYOR BRIAN STACK COMPLETELY SILENT ON THIS HORROR? Union City parents — this is happening in YOUR schools. Share this post far and wide. Demand immediate suspensions. Demand answers. Demand justice for every child!

Got Tips Of ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR INDECENT EXPOSURE AND/OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT MATT FEDROW, HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY DAVIS, Union City, NJ Assistant Principal and Teacher EDWIN MARINEZ and/or Corruption by Mayor/Senator Brian P. Stack? Call or Text The Leroy Truth Investigations CORRUPTION TIPS HOTLINE at: 305-707-8325 or Email: LeroyTruth247@gmail.com Or Mail Me Directly at: Leroy Truth P.O. Box 3464 Stamford, Ct 06905

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TAKE ACTION NOW — PROTECT THE CHILDREN

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FBI TIP LINE — REPORT IMMEDIATELY

1-800-CALL-FBI (1-800-225-5324) https://tips.fbi.gov

If you have ANY information — CALL THE FBI NOW Your voice could STOP ABUSE & SAVE A CHILD

⸻

LEROY TRUTH INVESTIGATIONS — CORRUPTION TIPS HOTLINE

GOT TIPS OF ALLEGATIONS OF SEXUAL ASSAULT AND/OR INDECENT EXPOSURE AND/OR SEXUAL MISCONDUCT OF HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF’S LIEUTENANT MATT FEDROW, HUDSON COUNTY SHERIFF JIMMY DAVIS, UNION CITY, NJ ASSISTANT PRINCIPAL AND TEACHER EDWIN MARINEZ AND/OR CORRUPTION BY MAYOR/SENATOR BRIAN P. STACK?

CALL OR TEXT NOW: 305-707-8325 EMAIL: LeroyTruth247@gmail.com MAIL: Leroy Truth P.O. Box 3464 Stamford, CT 06905

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DO NOT STAY SILENT — SPEAK UP — REPORT — PROTECT THE CHILDREN

YOUR TIP COULD CHANGE EVERYTHING

#UnionCityNJ #SchoolAbuseScandal #TeacherMisconduct #ProtectOurKids #JusticeForGR #UnionCitySchools #BergenCountyLawsuit #EndChildAbuse #DemandActionNow

Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office North Bergen Police Department Mikie Sherrill Governor Mikie Sherrill Mike Rodriguez Lea DeMaraCLUSIVE!

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OUTRAGE IN UNION CITY: Parents Demand Answers After 7-Year-Old Child Reportedly Walks Out of School Alone

Published

6 days ago

on

May 19, 2026

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Parents across Union City are expressing anger and demanding answers after a disturbing incident at Sara Gilmore School involving a first-grade student who reportedly left the school building alone during the school day.

According to an email reportedly sent to staff, a 7-year-old first-grade student remained behind briefly after lunch to finish eating. The email states that the child later attempted to return to class alone, became confused, and ultimately exited the building through an exterior door before reportedly being located safely.

For many parents, the explanation only raised more questions.

Because parents are now asking one simple thing:

How does a 7-year-old child walk out of a school building during school hours without an adult immediately noticing?

Parents say this is not a small procedural issue.

They say this is a major student safety failure.

This child could have become lost, injured, struck by a vehicle, abducted, or placed in a dangerous situation. Parents say the outcome could have easily been much worse.

Now criticism is growing toward the Union City Board of Education, school administration, and Mayor Brian Stack.

Many parents say they are tired of hearing explanations after something happens instead of seeing systems already in place to prevent incidents like this.

According to the reported staff email, the district immediately changed procedures and now requires children who remain behind after lunch to be escorted by an adult rather than traveling alone.

Parents are now asking an obvious question:

Why wasn’t that policy already in place?

Community groups and parents have also raised broader concerns regarding staffing, supervision, school safety, and security operations across the district.

According to claims circulating from concerned parent groups, questions are being raised regarding whether schools have enough administrative support, whether teachers are receiving adequate assistance, and whether school security procedures are being properly enforced.

Additional allegations from concerned community members include claims involving security staffing quality, building supervision concerns, and allegations that politics and patronage may influence hiring practices. Those allegations remain claims made by parents and community sources and have not been independently established.

Still, parents say the bigger issue is trust.

Because they believe this incident exposed a serious failure.

Parents are now asking:

🚨 Why was a first grader traveling alone?

🚨 Who was supervising the lunchroom?

🚨 Why was an exterior door accessible?

🚨 Where was school security?

🚨 How many security personnel were assigned?

🚨 What is Superintendent Sylvia Abbato doing?

🚨 What is the Union City Board of Education doing?

🚨 What is Mayor Brian Stack doing?

Many parents say they are demanding public answers rather than silence.

Because luck is not a security plan.

And parents say protecting children should come before politics, image, or damage control.

This child made it home safely.

Parents say next time another child may not be as lucky.

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Union City’s Federal Audit Raises Bigger Questions Nobody Wants to Answer

Published

6 days ago

on

May 19, 2026

By

The recent federal audit involving Union City should concern every taxpayer and resident. City officials may try to downplay it and call it paperwork mistakes or technical issues, but many people are looking at this and asking a much bigger question:

How many times can there be problems before people stop calling them mistakes?

The federal audit reviewed two Union City police technology grants funded through the U.S. Department of Justice and examined how taxpayer money was being used and managed. Auditors found problems involving procurement procedures, missing documentation, oversight failures, and compliance issues that resulted in nearly $1.7 million in questioned or unsupported costs. The review also found concerns involving policies, reporting practices, and issues affecting certain police surveillance equipment funded through the grants.

That should not be brushed aside.

For years, many people throughout Hudson County have questioned how politics operates in Union City. Critics have raised concerns about political favoritism, insider relationships, and a system where power seems heavily controlled by a small circle around Mayor Brian Stack.

Again and again, people hear the same complaints:

The same people stay in control.

The same people seem connected.

The same questions keep coming up.

And the same answers never seem to come.

Residents are left wondering whether this federal audit only looked at one small piece of a much larger picture.

Many people now believe investigators should have expanded their review into other areas of city operations. Because when concerns continue surfacing over the years, people naturally start asking whether there are deeper problems underneath the surface.

People begin asking questions like:

Who gets special treatment?

Who gets opportunities?

Who gets protected?

Who is benefiting?

And who is actually watching the people in charge?

people are tired of hearing officials dismiss every concern as politics, misunderstandings, or minor mistakes.

At some point, residents stop seeing isolated incidents.

They start seeing patterns.

And when people start seeing patterns, trust disappears.

Union City residents deserve transparency, accountability, and honest answers. Public officials work for the people — not the other way around.

The federal audit may be finished.

But many residents feel the real investigation should have just begun.

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