Raunchy NJ mayor wanted ‘prostate massage,’ clerk’s lawsuit says - New Jersey 101.5 FM

[Rick Rickman]

Former clerk files sexual harassment lawsuit​

Mayor smelled her and made weird comments, lawsuit says​

Accusations of retaliation​

PALISADES PARK — A former borough clerk had to take a 50% pay cut at another job after sexual harassment forced her out of her job of 15 years, according to a new lawsuit.

Gina Kim was so fond of her job as Palisades Park clerk that, in 2019, she married a police officer at borough hall during her lunch break. She made around $130,000 a year, according to the lawsuit.

But she quit in April of this year to escape a hostile work environment of intimidation and retaliation created by Democratic Mayor Chong Paul Kim, according to the lawsuit filed in Superior Court in Bergen County last week.

New Jersey 101.5 has reached out to the borough for comment. Borough attorney Allen Roth told NorthJersey.com that he was not aware of any summons or complaints related to the lawsuit.



Gina Kim's wedding (northjersey.com)

Gina Kim's wedding (northjersey.com)


loading...

Weird and lewd comments​

According to the lawsuit, Mayor Kim regularly stood over the clerk's shoulder while she worked and commented on how she smelled.

In an especially uncomfortable example, the mayor said to the clerk that he needed a prostate massage because his crotch was in pain, according to the lawsuit.

Another time, the mayor graphically described how a council member was intimate with his wife and spared no detail, the lawsuit said.

The clerk asked the mayor to stop harassing her but he ignored her, according to the lawsuit. She filed a dozen complaints to the borough labor attorney last year between Sept. 15 and Dec. 12.

SEE ALSO: NJ bill goes after doctors spreading 'misinformation' to patients​

(Google Maps/Canva)

(Google Maps/Canva)


loading...

Accusations of retaliation​

According to the lawsuit, the mayor knew that the former clerk was raised in a traditional Korean-American household and was aware of her cultural values including her respect for authority.

The mayor used that knowledge "as a weapon to intimidate and harass" the clerk, according to the lawsuit.

Mayor Kim tried to have a Rice notice filed against the clerk for her complaints but the borough attorney refused, according to the lawsuit. A Rice notice would have brought up the clerk's employment for discussion at a public borough meeting.

SEE ALSO: Rider exposes himself on Rutgers shuttle bus, cops say​

The lawsuit said the retaliation escalated with the mayor yelling at Kim and having another employee spy on her for him.

Kim was "forced" to resign from her job at Palisades Park and took a new job as a municipal clerk with Oakland borough, the lawsuit said.

The lawsuit seeks compensation for emotional damages and attorney fees.

Report a correction | Contact our newsroom

12 of the most unique NJ events and festivals to enjoy this October​

It’s October in New Jersey and there is no shortage of events and festivals in the state during the 10th month of the year. Almost every town in every county has a festival of some sort for people to check out. Here are 12 of the most unique festivals in October in New Jersey:

Gallery Credit: Jen Ursillo

Where the most drunk drivers are arrested in New Jersey​

Ranked by county, this is where New Jersey police made the most DUI arrests from July 2023 through June 2024.

Gallery Credit: Rick Rickman