Federal Judge Dismisses Suit Filed by Washington Commons Developer Against Jersey City: A federal judge in Newark has thrown out a case brought by the developer of a Downtown Jersey City condominium complex who claimed the city is forcing him to hand over seven residential units for a dollar a piece.

Traffic Signal at Sip and Bergen Avenues in Jersey City Facing Wrong Way: Motorists and pedestrians crossing the intersection of Sip and Bergen avenues, beware: the traffic signal at the southwest corner of the crossing is facing the wrong direction.

Man Missing After All-Night Union City Fire: An eight-alarm fire on Bergenline Avenue that raged for nearly nine hours Wednesday night into yesterday morning displaced 70 residents and injured 13 firefighters. A 55-year-old man also remains unaccounted for, officials said yesterday.

Crime Blotter: A Jersey City Heights resident was mugged at knifepoint at Central and Prospect avenues at 7:20 p.m. Wednesday night, according to police reports; A bus driver working for the Vanessa Express bus company in Jersey City was robbed of $300 about 1 a.m. yesterday after the robber placed a gun against his temple and then shoved the barrel of the gun in his mouth.

In Statewide News:

Newark-Based Law Group Asks New Jersey Legislators to Investigate Delays in Repair work in Urban Schools: The Christie Administration’s failure to complete repair work in dilapidated urban schools has a Newark-based law group calling on state legislators to investigate the delays, which have stranded thousands of students and staff in hazardous facilities.

Gov. Chris Christie to Meet with Portuguese Ambassador to US: Gov. Chris Christie is scheduled to meet with the Portuguese ambassador to the U.S. Friday in Newark’s Ironbound neighborhood.

In the suit, Andes alleged that as a Filipino, he was the victim of discrimination by NJCU’s promotion committee. He also claimed he was retaliated against because of his friendship with William Dusenberry, a retired NJCU sociology professor and longtime critic of university president Carlos Hernandez.

Just before the start of the five-day trial, Hernandez, 62, made statewide news when he announced he would resign from his position July 1. His departure will cap a career of 38 years with the university, the last 18 of which he was president.

A university spokeswoman denied there was a connection between the trial and Hernandez’s resignation. But during the trial, Hernandez conceded he had falsely claimed earning a master’s degree from the City University of New York. He had cited this degree — a master’s in philosophy — as he sought the university presidency, as well as a prior post, vice president of academic affairs, under his predecessor, William J. Maxwell. While Hernandez did earn a doctorate in philosophy from CUNY in 1988, falsely claiming a degree is a violation of New Jersey state law.

The degree controversy is a fact Dusenberry tried to publicize previously and had complained about to the state since at least 1996. State education officials confirmed knowledge of the degree issue in 1998 but so far have only forced Hernandez to remove any reference to the master’s from school records without pursuing further sanctions.

Andes’ trial afforded one of the biggest arenas where the president would have to account directly for his actions.

The issue arose in the trial because Andes alleged he was denied a full professor post in part because Hernandez knew he and Dusenberry were good friends — a claim the president denied.

“I do believe our efforts persuaded President Hernandez to finally step down in July because of the degree controversy and given the timing,” says Andes.

But Andes contends he did not receive a fair trial because, he says, the state took steps to assure an all-white jury.

“Had there been some minority representation,” he says, “I believe the process would have been fairer, because, as a colleague told me, it’s tough to convince an all-white jury that a Puerto Rican president discriminated against a Filipino.”

In the trial, Andes alleged that Hernandez deliberately limited the university’s normally seven-member promotions committee — which scores applications — to only five members. This, Andes says, to try to keep his cumulative score down compared to other applicants and limit his chances for advancement.

And Andes claims two committee members who had first stated they did not review his application changed their stories on the witness stand.

“The college’s witnesses changed their testimony from what they had stated in their 2009 depositions backing my charges, and I suspect they were coached to do so by the college,” Andes says. “If they had read the original depositions, they could not have reached the conclusions they did.”

The SAG’s legal team was aided by Albert Ramey, NJCU’s executive assistant to Hernandez, who was hired for his current position from the SAG’s office (where Ramey had served as a deputy attorney general before retiring in 2006 and moving to another paid position at the university).

Dusenberry, who was not a party to the civil suit, says the trial further strengthens his notion that the state attorney general’s office, which defends state universities named as plaintiffs in civil cases, cannot be trusted to independently investigate wrongdoing at those institutions.

Leland Moore, a spokesman for the state attorney general’s office, denies this, assuring “a firewall” exists between the two divisions which consult state agencies and conduct criminal probes against them.

Yet since the two divisions ultimately report to the governor’s office, Dusenberry contends this “firewall” is nonexistent.

“The state is a powerful entity to go up against,” says the former professor, who retired to Oklahoma three years ago. “When you have a former deputy attorney general (Ramey) take another job with benefits at the university, after retiring from his prior post in Trenton, and while continuing to help the state apologize for Dr. Hernandez’s academic fraud, something is definitely wrong.”

He says he remains frustrated by a system that he says has protected and even rewarded Hernandez, despite his misrepresentation of his academic credentials.

Moore declined to comment further, referring JCI to NJCU spokeswoman Ellen-Wayman Gordon.

Ramey and Hernandez both have declined requests to be interviewed, also referring JCI‘s inquiries to Wayman-Gordon.

“The university’s position was that the employees claims were without merit and that no violation of Title VII [of the Civil Rights Act of 1964] had occurred,” Wayman-Gordon says.

“The plaintiff had the opportunity to present his proof to a jury of eight. The jury issued a unanimous verdict that the university had not violated Title VII… the university’s contention all along.”

Further, Wayman-Gordon asserts that Hernandez’s retirement announcement coming as it did just before his testimony regarding his false degree was strictly coincidental.

“Dr. Hernandez has served NJCU since 1973 with distinction,” she says. “His decision to retire was a personal one and is in no way related to the master’s degree issue previously addressed by the NJCU board and the Commission on Higher Education years ago, or to his Sept. 21 testimony.”

Hernandez has historically maintained his false degree claim resulted from a misunderstanding over the City University of New York’s graduate program requirements dating back to 1980.

Though actual degrees are almost always presented to those receiving them, often during graduation ceremonies, Hernandez has said he thought he had attained the degree without possessing it.

Under questioning from Andes’ attorney, Evan Goldman of Hackensack, Hernandez testified he publicized having the master’s for “perhaps a year, maybe two,” even though the false master’s remained in periodic university catalogs for 18 years, from 1980 to 1998.

“We did raise the degree issue, in part to question Dr. Hernandez’s credibility,” Goldman says. “But the state successfully swayed the jury that it was not the issue in this case.”

Andes’ attorney adds he would likely recommend his client not appeal as it is extremely difficult to overturn civil jury verdicts. Unlike his client, he made no mention of concerns over jury selection.

“I felt Judge [Peter] Sheridan made every effort to be fair to our side, and, while I disagree with the verdict, I felt the jury did its best to consider the facts,” Goldman says. “And I do believe Dr. Andes will eventually receive the promotion he is seeking at some point.”

Photo of NJCU campus by Stepanstas; photo of Hernandez at a 2010 City Council meeting by Steve Gold

- HCCC Expansion: Hudson County Community College officials are holding a ribbon-cutting ceremony tomorrow for the school’s newly opened Higher Education Center in Union City.

- Postal Protest in JSQ: Local union workers will descend on Journal Square this afternoon to protest the U.S. Postal Service’s plan to close distribution centers and slash jobs.

- New Charges for JC Father: A Jersey City man whose trial on charges he sexually assaulted his three daughters ended with a hung jury has now been charged with perjury and making a false statement.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The library’s Biblioteca Criolla hosts the children of “Ninos de la Amazonia,” who have documented their everyday lives in the rainforests of Peru through photographs (5:30 pm), while Sandra Swieder’s 9/11 photography exhibition, From Across the River, moves up to the Brennan Courthouse and has an opening reception this evening (6 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Economic Bills: A package of tax cuts, credits and exemptions designed to encourage job growth in New Jersey were passed by the state Senate Monday. The 13 bills would cost the state treasury more than $100 million in tax revenue a year, if they become law.

- Charter Schools: One change to New Jersey’s charter school law passed the legislature yesterday, while talk mounts that a broader rewrite of the state’s 15-year-old statute governing the semi-autonomous schools may be in the offing.

- ‘Jersey Shore’ Tax Credit Vetoed: Gov. Christie has squashed a controversial $420,000 tax credit today for the hit MTV show that first appeared on the air in 2009.

- Laid Off Cops: Throughout New Jersey, a total of 705 police officers laid off since January have been unable to find work in law enforcement again, according to a survey conducted by the State Policemen’s Benevolent Association, the state’s largest police union. The survey includes all officers, not just those represented by the union.

- Presidential Primary: A bill signed into law Monday moves the New Jersey presidential primary back to its traditional month, to be held with the other political primaries for local and state offices. Going back to a single primary is estimated to save New Jersey $12 million by avoiding the costs of hiring poll workers and counting ballots for another election.

- Immigration: Advocates opposed to mandatory detention for immigrants plan to protest Tuesday in Newark to mark 15 years since a law took effect expanding its use.

- Combined Sewer System: The federal Environmental Protection Agency says there are 224 places in New Jersey, including 21 in Jersey City, where partially treated or raw sewage pours directly into streams, rivers or the ocean during heavy rain, polluting the water with bacteria and posing a public health risk.

- Panepinto Deal on Central Avenue: Powerful developer and former head of the Hudson County Democratic Party Joe Panepinto has a lucrative land deal with the Jersey City Parking Authority, leasing half a city block the agency owns on Central Avenue for only $16,600 annually. UPDATE: This story no longer appears to be online. We’ll replace the link if/when the Journal reposts.

- Washington Commons Developer Suing City: The developer of a the Washington Commons condo building is suing the city in federal court, accusing officials of trying to force him to hand over seven residential units for a dollar a piece.

- Autistic Kid Reportedly Left Alone Outside School: A teachers aide at Frank R. Conwell Middle School 4 left an autistic seventh grade boy alone outside the school for more than an hour on Friday, according to Delia Smith, the boy’s mother.

- ‘Untitled Jersey City Project’: MediaPost has more details on Audi’s involvement in the new Untitled Jersey City Project show.

- JC Teen Plans to Sue NYC After High Line Fall: An 18-year-old Jersey City man plans to sue New York City for $2.5 million after he fell 14 feet while scaling a fence earlier this year after city workers locked him inside the High Line park.

- Library Hours: The Jersey City Free Public Library has revised its Saturday schedule for the fall and winter months.

Today’s Best Bet:

- The Gary Smolyan Trio performs a free concert as part of the Great Performers Series at NJCU (7:30 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Democrats’ Economic Bills: A bill to be considered by the New Jersey Senate today would create a program to grant small businesses low-interest loans of up to $250,000, provided they increase their workforce by 10 percent, or one employee. The bill is one of several before the Senate that are part of the Democratic package designed to boost the economy, which includes legislation that would create a program to help transit hubs, give tax breaks to film and television companies and provide tax deductions for investors who back companies in urban enterprise zones.

- Christie & the White House: A determined cadre of Republican donors is casting wishful eyes on Gov. Christie in an 11th-hour push to persuade the former prosecutor to enter the 2012 presidential race.

- Our Commutes: New Jersey commuters spent more time in the car and on the bus or train getting to work in 2009 than any other place in the country, according to U.S. Census data.

- Hospital Sale Bill: Two key Democratic lawmakers are planning to strengthen a law that requires the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office to oversee the transfer of non-profit hospitals.

- Juvenile Justice System: New Jersey courts have made great strides in eliminating racial bias in recent years, but more guidance is still needed to help minorities navigate the complex legal system, a report to the judiciary says.

- Guilty Plea in ’04 Killing: A 30-year-old gang leader admitted in court yesterday that he fatally shot a Jersey City teen in 2004 in a case of mistaken identity.

- Ferris Brawl: A group of about 50 “agitated” juvenile males armed with baseball bats and bricks clashed in front of Ferris High School Monday, an altercation that led to the arrest of a 16-year-old boy accused of throwing a baseball bat at a police officer.

- Gatti Suit: Legal wrangling over the estate of deceased boxer Arturo Gatti — and an ongoing argument over how he died — is continuing with a new lawsuit filed in New Jersey on behalf of his 5-year-old daughter.

- Hartz Drops Panasonic Suit: Hartz Mountain, the Hudson County-based landlord of Panasonic Corp. of America’s headquarters in Secaucus, has agreed to drop a suit seeking to stop New Jersey from awarding a $102.4 million tax break to help the electronics giant move into a new HQ in Newark.

- Bush in JC: Former president George W. Bush played a little golf at Liberty National a day after taking part in Sunday’s 10th anniversary commemoration of the 9/11 terrorist attacks in Lower Manhattan.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The annual St. Joseph’s Parish Festival kicks off a five-night run today (6 pm), and the Tempest Jam Session is at the Lamp Post (9 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Carl Lewis: The Third Circuit Court of Appeals has reversed a decision by Judge Noel Hillman barring 8th District senate hopeful Carl Lewis from the general election ballot. Republicans plan to appeal.

- Energy Master Plan: The legislature is moving to block the Christie administration from implementing some key aspects of its three-month-old draft Energy Master Plan, posting a bill that would require New Jersey to have at least 30 percent of its electricity produced by renewable energy by 2020.

- $ for Airports: New Jersey airports will get $27 million in federal grants, most of it for safety improvements at Teterboro and Trenton-Mercer airports.

- Edgewater: North Jersey developer Fred Daibes says he will build a public park along the Hudson River waterfront in Edgewater if the state agrees to dismiss a $1.9 million fine leveled against him earlier this year for building violations.

- NJ’s Wild Weather Year: “Flooding, a blizzard, high wind events, tornadoes and hail. Even an earthquake. What else can you have?”

- 2013 Gubernatorial Election: Speculation on who the Democratic nominee will be in 2013 already finds its way into the columns and comments on the state’s political websites. Here’s another stab, via Michael Aron.

- Mortgage Fraud: A 33-year-old Jersey City man has pleaded guilty in federal court to participating in a $40.8 million mortgage-fraud scheme involving at least four New Jersey men.

- Guilty Plea in ’09 Killing: A 26-year-old Jersey City man pleaded guilty in federal court yesterday to conspiring to kill a rival gang member in April 2009, and to illegally possessing firearms.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The weather has finally cleared up, just in time for some free outdoor events tonight. There’s a free concert featuring M. Josephine, Nick Ciavatta & the Sea of Otters and Dujuana Sharese with Spacious Curtis at Groove on Grove (6 pm), and a free screening of Toy Story 3 in Van Vorst Park (8 pm). Also not to be missed is the opening of the newest show by Jersey City painter Robert Piersanti, POPulation, at Club H (6:30 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Rutgers & Sports: In an environment of fiscal strain confronting state governments, Rutgers University is emblematic of rising tension over funding of athletics at the expense of academics.

- State Police & Minority Recruits: Lawyers for the NAACP will meet with Attorney General Paula Dow and State Police Supt. Rick Fuentes next week to discuss why just five black applicants were selected for the new 123-member trooper recruit class that began Monday.

- NJ & Kids: New Jersey remains one of the best states in the nation to raise and educate children, according to the latest Kids Count survey to be released today.

- Energy Master Plan: With the Christie administration yet to end hearings on a draft Energy Master Plan, Democratic lawmakers already are threatening to reverse a decision to scale back New Jersey’s renewable energy goals.

- Carl Lewis: Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno has refused to certify former Olympic track and field star Carl Lewis as a candidate for state Senate.

- Supermarkets Bill: A group of proposed laws designed to ease the path for supermarkets to open in New Jersey is being touted by the New Jersey Food Council as a way to bring quality foods to residents who currently are unable to get them.

- Urban Transit Hub Tax Credit Changes: Legislation that would pave the way for hundreds of millions in tax credits for the Meadowlands project formerly known as Xanadu also includes a last-minute change that would allow developers in Jersey City and other urban areas to claim a tax credit while easing their obligations to provide affordable housing. The switch is drawing the wrath of housing advocates who today called it a fast-tracked gift to developers.

- Barclays Back in JC in 2013: The PGA Tour has announced that it has set the venue rotation for The Barclays through 2016, which includes two trips to Bethpage Black on Long Island and a return trip to Liberty National Golf Club in Jersey City in 2013.

- Doc Turns Down Plea Deal: The Jersey City doctor charged in a prescription drug distribution conspiracy has turned down a plea deal.

- Rivera & Flood Reportedly Ill: Members of the City Council last night asked residents to keep Hudson County Freeholder Eliu Rivera and former Councilwoman Willie Flood, who are both ill, in their prayers.

- Law Firm Wants More $ from HudCo: A high-powered Morristown law firm is suing Hudson County, saying it is owed an additional $125,000 in legal fees for representing the county in its 2008 suit against former County Executive Robert Janiszewski.

- Building Boats: In the past few months, students at Resurrection School and Our Lady of Czestochowa School have planned, built, and launched their very own boats in the Hudson River.

Today’s Best Bets:

- The Reservoir opens its gates tonight for a free outdoor painting session (6 pm), and 58 Gallery hosts an opening reception for Social Distortion, a new group exhibition featuring work by Joe Iurato, R.E.U.J and Distort (7 pm).

In Statewide News:

- State Budget: The Democrats’ $30.6 billion budget proposal is now headed to Gov. Christie’s desk. MORE on the budget battle from NJ Spotlight.

- Drug Benefits for AIDS Patients: Nearly 1,000 people with HIV and AIDS would have their subsidized prescription drug benefits restored that Gov. Christie reduced last summer under a bill the Assembly approved yesterday.

- Charter Schools: The Assembly advanced a package of bills last night that could stymie the growth of charter schools in the suburbs while dramatically expanding their portfolio statewide.

- Affordable Housing: In a move designed to streamline state government, Gov. Christie says he is abolishing the Council on Affordable Housing.

- Crowley Won’t Run: Republican John Crowley has announced that he will return to his role as CEO of biotech company Amicus Therapeutics instead of challenging Bob Menendez for his Senate seat.

- Medical Center Suit: A Jersey City Medical Center EMT who is Arab claims in a new lawsuit that over the past four years he’s been bombarded with ethnic slurs and taunts from coworkers, including being called a “towel-head,” “camel jockey,” and “bomb-maker.”

- LSP 9/11 Memorial Contract Under Investigation: The state auditor has referred three contracts awarded by the New Jersey State Council on the Arts to the state Division of Criminal Justice for investigation, including one for work on the 9/11 memorial being built in Liberty State Park.

- Schools Closing Early Thursday: All schools in the Jersey City school district will close at 12:45 pm today due to extreme heat conditions.

- Schundler: Bret Schundler, New Jersey’s former education commissioner and Jersey City’s former mayor, has applied to head the school system in Florida.

Today’s Best Bets:

- Nimbus Dance Works kicks off its 2011 Home Season of performances at Grace Church (7:30 pm), while Barcade hosts its first beer event featuring 13 rare beers from Seattle’s Elysian Brewing and freshly shucked oysters to pair them with (7 pm). And Uptown Crew’s Open Mic is at Moore’s Lounge (8 pm).

In Statewide News:

- Pensions & Benefits Deal: Public workers would pay more for their pension and health benefits under a deal struck between Gov. Chris Christie and Senate President Steve Sweeney, two sources with knowledge of the plan tell the Ledger. Assembly Democrats and the state’s largest union both oppose the plan.

- Public/Private Education: Gov. Christie will reportedly announce legislation today to create public-private partnerships to run some schools in New Jersey.

- NJN: Sen. Frank Lautenberg wants the Federal Communications Commission to review Gov. Christie’s proposal to hand over NJN public televsion and radio to a New York public broadcaster.

- Privatization: Outsourcing public services should save the state millions, but some ill-considered initiatives have ended up costing that much; NJ Spotlight takes a closer look at the issue.

- Bloggers Not Protected Under Shield Law: New Jersey’s legal protections allowing journalists to keep their sources secret do not apply to those who post to online message boards, the state Supreme Court ruled Tuesday.

- New Buses: NJ Transit is spending nearly $69 million to buy 158 new buses for its aging fleet.

Jersey City has settled an eight-count civil suit brought by Jennifer Bloom, the former Director of Administration and Financial Management for the Jersey City Municipal Utilities Authority (MUA) for $87,500, with the MUA itself kicking in another $50,000 in settlement money. (The MUA has already separately settled with Bloom for $250,000.)

Bloom’s suit, which was filed in 2006, names a whopping 28 defendants, ranging from the MUA’s Board of Commissioners to Mayor Jerramiah Healy and several other high-ranking city officials, and alleges wrongdoing ranging from sexual and emotional harassment to violations of The Conscientious Employee Protection Act.

According to the complaint, the issue began when Bloom found financial “discrepancies” in the bookkeeping of United Water, the water and sewage treatment firm that the MUA outsources work to. This prompted an investigation that Bloom alleges uncovered other problems with the work and bookkeeping done by United Water, including “over and under-billing” customers, lack of proper inspection of the water system, failure to perform certain tasks and other negligence.

An accounting report and analysis of the operations and activities of United Water was obtained that supported Bloom’s claims, according to the suit, and ultimately “resulted in increased costs to the MUA which would necessitate a rate increase” to the city. This increased rate accounted for an additional $2.5 million claim through a Billing Collection Incentive agreement between the MUA and United Water.

The Billing Collection Incentive is an agreement in which United Water would received additional compensation for water and sewage fees beyond a baseline amount; Bloom says United Water “improperly calculated” this amount from 2000 to 2002. Her complaint maintains the “increase of the water and sewer fees would appear to be a gimmick employed to permit Jersey City to avoid stating it was increasing taxes, while using its appointed commission to compel the MUA to do so” in its stead.

It was after Bloom alerted the MUA commissioners of these miscalculations that she says “retaliatory” actions were taken against her, including turning a blind-eye when she was “demeaned in public” and when “her authority [was] diminished … in front of her staff.”

One of the more detailed allegations in the complaint claims then-MUA executive director Thomas Kane “stroked [her] hair” and “play[ed] and twirl[ed] it around his fingers,” despite Bloom’s protests. She says she issued a formal complaint about the “retaliatory and gender harassment,” a complaint which she alleges “the administration at City Hall” told Kane not to respond to.

Eventually Bloom was suspended from her position and fired after a formal hearing where she claims more wrongdoing on the part of the MUA. Before the hearing, her lawyers say, they never received documents “regarding the alleged deficient performance areas, as well as a list of witnesses” who would testify to these deficiencies. According to the suit, “within seconds, and substantially less than 60 seconds, of the conclusion of ‘witness’ testimony … and without any conference among the defendant commissioners,” the board terminated her position at the MUA.

The City Council approved the settlement on Wednesday night by a vote of 6 to 1; Ward E councilman Steven Fulop voted against the measure. Ward D councilman Bill Gaughan, whose daughter Eileen is a defendant in the suit, abstained, as did At-Large councilman Ray Velazquez.

Fulop said that he felt the administration was attempting to cover up the allegations in the suit by agreeing to settle instead of go to trial.

“There are very significant accusations of tampering at the MUA, accusations of fraudulent accounting practices and harassment, and the city is paying a six-figure settlement for this to go away,” he said. “By settling, either this is admitting that this did transpire, which is very, very alarming and we shouldn’t just sweep this under the rug, or it’s saying that if anyone accuses the city of anything then the city will settle for six figures plus. Either way this is not in the city’s best interest.”

But while city officials have thus far declined to comment on the specific allegations in the settlement, the city’s top attorney says his department chose not to pursue litigation of this case in part because of the large number of defendants.

“The city would likely be compelled to provide the individual defendants with outside counsel, the cost of which would exceed the amount of the settlement, since this case would entail significant discovery,” corporation counsel Bill Matsikoudis tells JCI. “Accordingly, it is prudent to settle.”

The counts include alleged violations of civil action of deprivation of rights, the Conscientious Employment Protection Act, “interference with prospective economic advantage,” defamation, violation of New Jersey’s Civil Rights Statute, violation of New Jersey’s Law Against Discrimination, conspiracy to violate federal civil rights, and “intentional and/or negligent infliction of emotional distress.”

Jennifer Bloom v Jersey City MUA Amended Complaint

Ali’s suit, filed in Hudson County Superior Court, alleges that the Pennsylvania-based bus company operated without regard for passenger safety and failed to properly train, hire and supervise its drivers. It also alleges that Wang, who died in the crash, failed to operate the bus in a safe manner due to working more hours than allowed under federal guidelines.

The bus was en route to Philadelphia from Manhattan when it crashed, causing Ali, who was a passenger on the bus, “permanent disability and mental anguish,” according to his attorneys. The suit demands damages for head trauma and orthopedic injuries, medical expenses and emotional distress, as well as compensation for loss of wages and income.

Super Luxury Tours was deemed an “imminent hazard to public safety” in late March by the federal Department of Transportation, which ordered the company to stop all transportation service.

“Unfortunately, Super Luxury Tours’ buses have been involved in several crashes and flagged by federal officials for numerous citations,” says Ricky Bagolie of Bagolie Friedman Injury Lawyers, the firm that filed the lawsuit on behalf of Ali. “In this case, the company’s alleged carelessness has drastically decreased the quality of life for many of its passengers and their families.”