The West New York electrical subcode official, who has seven part-time jobs in total, is verbally sparring with private investigator Joe Blaettler over whether or not he is performing his job responsibilities in town.
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Surveillance footage shows that West New York’s Electrical Subcode Official, Nick Lordo, who has seven part-time jobs and earns about $187,000 a year, ran personal errands while on the clock in the North Hudson municipality on a handful of occasions in July and August.
Additionally, in one instance back in December 22 of last year, Lordo has overlapping hours he was paid for in West New York and Clifton, according to timesheets provided to Hudson County View – though he chalked that up to some sort of clerical error.
Lordo, who is employed by Glen Rock, Rutherford, East Rutherford, Clifton, Midland Park/Ho-Ho-Kus (the two municipalities have an interlocal agreement), Guttenberg and West New York – the latter where he earns about $64,000 a year and receives health benefits.
East Coast Private Investigations’ Joe Blaettler, who has previously spoken out against town inspectors Manny Fernandez and Frank Recanati, made similar allegations about Lordo: stating he routinely showed up to work late, ate breakfast at a dine and stopped in at his house during the work day, among other things.
Lordo essentially disputed everything Blaettler said, explaining that “I’m never [getting paid to be] in two places at one time,†adding that he does pick up lunch to eat in his office from here and there.
He further stated that he rarely works in West New York during the week of Christmas, noting that the West New York timesheet that was forwarded to us did not have his initials – possibly indicating a clerical error or that someone accidentally clocked in and out under his name.
He also acknowledged stopping home during the work day, but said the reason for that is he does not use public restrooms.
As far as showing up to work late, Lordo said he reviews office plans before the building is open, explaining that it’s “easier to commit yourself to that†when no one’s around at 7:30 a.m.
Finally, he did admit that he went to breakfast with Fernandez and Recanati, but said it was never a secret and the whole office was aware they were going to get something to eat, adding he is accessible 24 hours a day on his cell phone if there was ever something pressing happening.
He also defended having eight jobs by explaining he typically works 12 hours a day, had a starting salary of $15,000 a year in West New York and has inspection licenses for housing, electrical, construction, building fire and hotel/multiple dwellings.
West New York spokeswoman Natalia Novas said in an email that the matter would be “reviewed,†but the town declined to comment further since the issue at hand “deals with personnel.â€