River Vale to pay $75,000 for mayor’s conduct

The township of River Vale settled a lawsuit with Police Chief Aaron Back over harassment by former Mayor George Paschalis. Back testified that Paschalis repeatedly threatened to fire him, and once suspended Back for three days because he would not grant Paschalis unlimited access to the police department.

Back had worked without a raise or a contract since 2004. After Paschalis suspended him for 30 days for teaching criminal justice classes at St. Thomas Aquinas College in Sparkill, Back filed suit.

The township, under a new mayor, settled for $75,000 to cover lost pay and legal fees, and removed the suspension from Back’s record. The new administration further noted that having Back teach local courses in criminal justice was good for the town and the students.