Former Atlantic City MUA Chairman Calls Out ‘Unqualified’ Hiring

Former Atlantic City Municipal Utilities Authority Chairman John Devlin has come out swinging over the hiring of a politically connected individual, who Devlin claims does not possess the proper level of experience required for the position.

Devlin has advised that India Still, the former wife of Atlantic City unelected potentate Joe Jacobs will be hired at a salary of $140,000 per-year to become the Assistant Director of the ACMUA.

Jacobs wields incredible influence under Atlantic City Mayor Marty Small and it extends to all aspects of the City of Atlantic City government and Board of Education functions.

We have been advised that Still will assume the position formerly held by Nicholas Mancuso, who Devlin confirmed was highly qualified. Mancuso allegedly was not offered a new contract to continue in the position.

Devlin confirmed that Still will be leaving a six-figure Atlantic City special events position to accept the position with the ACMUA.

Devlin is concerned because he believes that “this position should be filled with a highly qualified water operator with a level 4 license,” said Devlin.

The ACMUA remains under tight scrutiny by the state of New Jersey for not being compliant with its licensing requirements. Devlin has revealed this previously to the public.

Because they lack certain required licenses with the staff presently on the books, the ACMUA must contract outside contractors who do possess the required licenses, in order to legally operate.

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In a wide-ranging interview with Devlin, he unloaded on the current practices at the ACMUA as follows:

"It's sad that this behavior and hiring practices continues under the leadership of Michael Armstrong (ACMUA Executive Director) and (Atlantic City Mayor) Marty Small.

“While I was chairman of the board at the ACMUA, I fought very hard to keep fairness and transparency in our hiring practices and beyond,” said Devlin.

”During my tenure I made sure the ACMUA hired qualified, licensed employees as well as keeping in mind our fiscal responsibilities to our taxpayers,” said Devlin.

“Unfortunately, the ACMUA under the leadership of Armstrong/Small continue to place the ACMUA out of compliance and create great expense to the taxpayers of Atlantic City by appointing non licensed personnel,” said Devlin.

“While I was chairman I made sure that these practices did not happen. I was a cog in the wheel for the Armstrong/ Small regime. For this reason they created frivolous lies about me and assembled a Kangaroo Court to oust me,” said Devlin.

Devlin also has called out the “six-figure” contract given to Bruce Ward for ACMUA legal services.

'I think it's also a embarrassment that Bruce Ward, the former executive director, who walked off the job without any notice and made up lies during my hearing was rewarded with a fat legal contract, just weeks after hearing,” said Devlin.

Devlin and former ACMUA board solicitor Fredric L. Bor have filed Tort Claim notices, which is a required first step before you can file a lawsuit against government entity.

Developing. Updates as warranted.

SOURCE: John Devlin.