Cranford Officer Wins $775K in Political Discrimination Lawsuit

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  Published in Politics and Government on Wednesday, January 7th 2026 at 1:32 GMT by Patch
      Locale: UNITED STATES

Cranford Police Officer Awarded $775K After Jury Finds Promotion Denial Rooted in Political Discrimination

A Cranford, New Jersey police officer, Sgt. Joseph Husser, has been awarded $775,000 by a jury after successfully arguing that he was denied a promotion to Lieutenant due to political discrimination. The case, which centered on allegations of interference by then-Mayor Kathleen Miller and her administration, has ignited debate about the influence of politics on law enforcement and the integrity of the promotional process.

According to reporting by Patch.com and subsequent legal documents, Husser had consistently received positive performance evaluations throughout his 17-year career with the Cranford Police Department. He scored highest on the written exam for the Lieutenant position in 2019 and performed well in the oral interview, placing him at the top of the eligible candidate list. However, despite being the clear frontrunner, the promotion was ultimately awarded to another officer, Lt. William Colicchio.

Husser’s lawsuit, filed in 2020, alleged that Mayor Miller actively interfered in the promotion process, leaning on then-Police Chief James Kulig to bypass Husser because of his perceived political affiliations. The key to the case, as presented by Husser’s attorney, John Inglesino, revolved around Miller’s dislike for Husser’s wife, Susan, who was a vocal critic of the Mayor and ran unsuccessfully against her for a Union County Freeholder seat in 2018. Inglesino argued that the promotion denial was “retaliation” for Susan Husser’s political activity, a violation of the New Jersey Civil Service Act.

The evidence presented during the trial included text messages between Miller and Kulig that pointed to a deliberate effort to find reasons to disqualify Husser. Patch.com reports that one text message, from Miller to Kulig, questioned Husser’s “temperament” and suggested exploring any potential “red flags” in his record. Further, testimony revealed that Miller expressed concern about having someone in a leadership position whose spouse was a political opponent.

Kulig, who has since retired, testified that he made the final decision on the promotion, maintaining it was based on his assessment of the candidates’ leadership qualities and suitability for the role. However, the jury clearly found this explanation unconvincing, siding with Husser's argument that Kulig was acting under pressure from Miller. The jury found that while Colicchio was a qualified officer, Husser was demonstrably more qualified and that the political interference directly led to him being unjustly denied the promotion.

The $775,000 award includes $350,000 for emotional distress, $225,000 for back pay (representing the salary Husser would have earned as a Lieutenant from 2019 until the verdict), and $200,000 for punitive damages. Punitive damages are intended to punish the wrongdoer and deter similar conduct in the future, signaling the jury’s strong disapproval of Miller's actions.

The case has sparked significant reaction in Cranford and beyond. While Miller, who left office in January 2024, has not publicly commented extensively on the verdict, she previously dismissed Husser's claims as baseless. However, the jury’s decision underscores the seriousness of the allegations and the potential for political pressure to undermine merit-based systems within public safety.

This isn't the first time accusations of political interference have surfaced within the Cranford Police Department during Miller’s tenure. In 2015, Officer Matthew Statnick filed a lawsuit alleging he was passed over for promotion due to his support for a rival candidate in a mayoral election. That case was ultimately settled out of court, but it established a pattern of concern about political motivations influencing decisions within the department.

The Husser case highlights a crucial issue: the importance of maintaining a clear separation between politics and law enforcement. Allowing political considerations to dictate promotions and disciplinary actions erodes public trust in the police and can compromise the objectivity and effectiveness of the department. Legal experts suggest that this case may serve as a cautionary tale for other municipalities, emphasizing the need for transparent and objective promotional processes to safeguard against political interference and ensure that qualified officers are rewarded based on their merits.