New Jersey: Town prosecutor alleged retaliatory firing after reporting judicial misconduct

A municipal prosecutor was subjected to retaliation for cooperating in an FBI investigation regarding the township's judge, and complaining about the judge being inebriated during a trial. One year later plaintiff was not reappointed as a municipal prosecutor, and two weeks after termination the township posted the job. Plaintiff sued, seeking compensatory and punitive damages for the wrongful termination. Defense denied that the firing was retaliatory, and that plaintiff was not damaged because she had no right to claim damages for future services, since the position was appointed.

VERDICT: $1.3 million.

Michele D'Onofrio v. Township of Warren (Morris County, New Jersey, Case no. MRS-L-2927-08).