The attorney general of New Jersey, Matthew Platkin, has accused Salvator Bonaccorso, the mayor of Clark, of criminal charges related to racial slurs and allegations of fraud. According to Platkin, Bonaccorso ran his landscaping and illegal tank removal business from his township office using municipal resources. The charges also include witness tampering and falsifying records.
Officials from Clark Township and the mayor’s residence declined to comment on the charges. However, a resident named Debbie Flanagan called for Bonaccorso’s resignation while other residents praised the mayor for his work before the charges were announced.
Platkin also revealed that the criminal charges against Bonaccorso stemmed from another investigation into allegations of racism made by the police department’s chief. Platkin reported a disproportionately high arrest rate for Black individuals in Clark despite the police department and officials being unavailable for comment.
In addition to these charges, Platkin recommended changes to the police department and called for the resignation or firing of the police chief, which only the mayor can do.