NJ.com's football staff tries to predict some of the crazy storylines that will emerge this weekend.

The Board of Commissioners approved the appointment of a new housing director with no comment on Wednesday.

NEWARK -- It's official, the Newark Housing Authority has a new leader.

The Board of Commissioners on Wednesday approved the appointment of Victor Cirilo as executive director without discussion. Cirilo is a West Orange resident and director of the Housing Authority for the city of Passaic.

Victor CiriloHandout 

Cirilo led the Passaic housing authority for 10 years and is replacing former director Keith Kinard, who left the Newark agency in July. 

"I want to extend my wholehearted gratitude to the Housing Authority Board of Commissioners for their support of my candidacy. I look forward to the next stage of the process and ultimately to serve Housing Authority residents as well as the Newark community at large," Cirolo told NJ Advance Media in a statement.

Cirilo is a West Orange Councilman and was a former chief of staff for Assemblyman John McKeon. He was born in El Salvador.  

Interim director Ellen Harris said Cirilo's salary, contract and start date has not been finalized.

Tenant advocates, however, complained residents were not included in the hiring process and their voices were not heard. 

"One of the many issues that was ignored in the process was tenant participation and representation," tenant advocate and Fair Housing Officer for Newark Felicia Alston-Singleton wrote in a letter to the board. 

Charles Bell, chairman for the Board of Commissioners, previously told NJ Advance Media he was impressed by Cirilo's experience improving rental vacancy rates and rent collection rates while at Passaic. 

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

Newark authorities say they also confiscated a large amount of cocaine from the scene

NEWARK -- Authorities have arrested two armed men who they say created a "disturbance" at a city bodega, then barricaded themselves in a nearby home for several hours Thursday morning.

In comments made near the scene of a heavy police investigation Thursday, Police Director Anthony Ambrose said police first responded to Shephard Avenue at 9:33 a.m. when a bodega owner reported a "disturbance" at the shop. Two men, one with a gun, ran from the store into a nearby home, Ambrose said.

Officers and SWAT team members responded as the two were barricaded in the home for an extended period of time, authorities said. Before noon, police arrested the two men, and seized a "large amount" of cocaine, Ambrose said.

Authorities were waiting for a search warrant to enter the home to look for the gun, Ambrose said.

"Right now, there is no one in peril," he said, noting that a police investigation at the scene would likely continue for some time.

Also at the scene Thursday, Mayor Ras Baraka praised the police department's response to the incident.

"I commend the officers for their swift response to this," he said. "They've done a good job here."

Officials did not immediately release the names of those arrested. No other details were immediately available.

Jessica Mazzola may be reached at jmazzola@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter @JessMazzola. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

Two men were allegedly distributing drugs to local dealers.

EAST ORANGE -- Essex County sheriff's detectives seized more than $50,000 worth of heroin and arrested two men, who were apparently trafficking the drug to other dealers in East Orange, officials said Thursday.

Hamayun Mumtaz, 27, of Jersey City, and James Sweigart, 37, of Kenilworth, were each charged with various drug distribution and related offenses after county narcotics detectives arrested the pair late Wednesday, said Sheriff Armando Fontoura.

Based on complaints of drug dealing, investigators conducted surveillance near Central Avenue and Halsted Street, the sheriff said. They watched as Mumtaz drove a Lincoln Town Car into a nearby parking lot.

Mumtaz apparently spotted a passing marked East Orange police car and drove away from the lot, according to authorities. Sheriff's detectives pulled over the Lincoln for having tinted windows near Central and South Munn avenues.

Detectives spotted Sweigart, the passenger, hand a large clear plastic bag to Mumtaz, who hid the bag in an armrest compartment, according to Fontoura. Authorities found a quarter of a kilo of heroin in bags in the compartment.

"These suspects were allegedly dealing in volume and were not running a mom and pop operation," the sheriff said. "They were apparently in town to supply local street dealers."

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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Andre Higgs, now 45, could die in prison for the murder of Latrina May in 2015

NEWARK -- The former boyfriend of a popular East Orange teacher was sentenced to life in prison Wednesday for gunning her down outside her residence in 2015 as she flagged down a police officer to seek help.

Andre Higgs, 45, of Watchung, was convicted in June in the killing of Latrena May, a teacher at Pride Academy Charter School and the mother of Higgs' daughter.

Superior Court Judge Ronald D. Wigler sentenced Higgs to life on the murder charge plus another 10 years for possessing a weapon as a convicted felon. He will be ineligible for parole for 68 years.

Latrena May. (Facebook)

During an emotional three-hour hearing, May's sisters recounted her attempts to break away from Higgs.

"She was enjoying her independence, and was through with the jealous, possessive and manipulative behavior," said Tanya May, who has custody of her now-6-year-old niece.

The couple's daughter was inside the East Orange home at the time of the shooting.

Higgs, in shackles and suit and tie, continued to maintain his innocence in a cryptic statement to May's family.

"I want y'all to know, I would never hurt Latrena," he said. "Look into the situation. Look into it."

Higgs shot and killed May on the steps of her two-family home on May 1, 2015. 

An East Orange Police officer, Det. Kemon Lee, happened to be driving past the house and saw May flag him down.

Prosecutors say Higgs shot her three times as she was heading down the steps of the porch toward Lee.

Lee then shot Higgs four times, wounding him and forcing him into the hallway of the house, where he hid his gun under a bag of rock salt.

Higgs's lawyers said he owned the home where May lived with their daughter, even though he lived in Watchung with a longtime fiance who had several children with him.

Higgs' lawyer, veteran defense attorney Joseph Rem, told the judge, "I have no explanation for what happened," or what motivated his client to go to May's home, armed, that night.

May's sisters were among several friends and family who gave statements during the sentencing. Higgs' mother, Darlene Higgs, recalled how as a child, he stayed by her side in the hospital 40 years ago after she suffered a stroke.

Others testified that Higgs had been a good provider and an active member of the community, and that his positives outweighed his negatives.

Assistant Essex County Prosecutor Justin Edwab sharply disagreed, however, saying Higgs had an extensive record that included three prior domestic assaults, including one against May and two against the other mother of his seven children. 

Judge Wigler castigated Higgs for failing to accept what he had done even during his statement at Thursday's hearing. He also seemed to agree with May's sisters about why Higgs shot the mother of his child.

"You weren't willing to let her move on,"Wigler told him.

Which players will be the best in the midfield in 2017?

They live life from a wheelchair, victims of gun violence who have joined "First Step,'' a wheelchair to walk campaign that brings awareness to their plight and encourages them to not give up.

It's a small movement, but one Rashena Burroughs believes will blossom for Newark's forgotten residents.

"First Step" is her campaign to bring awareness and encouragement to those victims of gun violence who live life from a wheelchair. She emboldens them to persevere, to never give up.

Anthony Alexander, a 29-year-old entrepreneur with a clothing line, has not. He's her son.

Lisa James, 46, a jewelry consultant, has lot of heart and lot of fight. So, does Rodney Mason, 50, who coaches Little League baseball and Pop Warner football.

MORE: Recent Barry Carter columns  

The three didn't know each other until last month, when Alexander, who was shot three times in 2015 while defending his brother, led his mother's movement to highlight the progress he's made from paralysis in his legs.

He rose from his wheelchair -- using a walker for balance -- and walked a mile from Newark City Hall to and around Lincoln Park.

"I don't like to focus on problems,'' Burroughs said. "I like to focus on solutions.''

Mother and son would like wheelchair victims to be part of a program in the city that brings them out from the shadows. Many, Burroughs said, are at home and don't know where to turn for activities.

Gwen Moten, executive director of the Mayor's Office of Art, Culture Development and Tourism, asked Burroughs to write a proposal after the walking event drew 60 able-bodied people and three to four participants in wheelchairs.

As they reached the finish line, the crowd formed a path to cheer on James, Mason and Alexander, who stopped only to sip water during his tiring, 40-minute trek.

"Don't let nobody break your spirit,'' Alexander told the small gathering when was done. "Anything is possible. Never quit.''

His thoughts were centered on the future, not the two men who shot him when he tried to stop them from robbing his brother after an album-release party in East Orange. He's gotten past the bullets that struck his kidney, liver and grazed his spine.

"I don't even think about them," Alexander said of the shooters. "I forgive them. I don't have no ill will, no hate.''

Next year, he plans to marry his fiance, Nadia McClain, who has given him the confidence to keep striving. The couple have a 2-year-old son, Parker, and he keeps Dad on the go.

Alexander gets on the floor with him, or he's upright with the walker, staying out of the wheelchair as much as possible to "get these babies (his legs) moving."

"I'm just on a positive journey to get up and motivate people," Alexander said.

He has an ally in James, paralyzed from the chest down and an inspiration in her own right.

The jewelry consultant sells her products on line. She owns two homes, likes to dress nice, wear high-heeled shoes and, when possible, get out of the house.

"You already got my legs,'' she said, speaking of the gunman. "You're not going to get my mind.''

She reminds herself often that April 23 of last year wasn't her fault. James ended a busy day hanging with friends at a Newark bar for a nightcap.

Within 15 minutes, the gunman, who has not been arrested, shot into the business from the street. Bullets shattered the glass and two of them struck James, upending her world.

But Burroughs' activity gave her hope, let her know she's not alone.

It was geared for people like her, who endure feelings of anxiety and rude behavior from the public. Strangers gawk. They don't speak or rarely open the door. Bus riders shamefully don't move to make room for her mobile wheelchair.

James overcame her insecurities as she copes with a daily dose of throbbing pain in her arms. She rode the bus downtown to Burroughs' event, and returned home inspired.

"To see this man walking,'' said James, pausing, "it felt good to be around people.''

People like Burroughs, who believes in meditation, the power of affirmations and a healthy vegan diet to heal the body. She also met Dox Diggla, the event host, who deflects any offered praise, instead shining the motivational glow onto Alexander, James and Mason. 

Of the three, Mason is the wheelchair veteran. He said he battled suicidal thoughts after a 1995 drive-by shooting left him paralyzed from the waist down.  The convicted gunman was the ex-boyfriend of a woman he dated.

"It was rough in the beginning,'' Mason said. "I didn't want to live like this.''

He came around, though, when he started coaching Little League baseball in Newark's South Ward in 2008, then Pop Warner football in 2010. It was his way to reach young people and steer them away from the streets that had him selling drugs and locked up for three months.

Mason's story and that of his Little League team were played out in a 2013 book, "A Chance to Win: Boyhood, Baseball, and the Struggle for Redemption in the Inner City," by former Star-Ledger reporter Jonathan Schuppe.

MORE CARTER: Newark American Legion post doesn't forget neighborhood it calls family

Unfortunately, Mason still sees young people struggling in Newark and that's why he's supports Burroughs. Too many of them, he said, are in wheelchairs. He can't put a number on it, but he sees them frequently whenever he's downtown. They are gunshot victims from a variety of circumstances: robberies, neighborhood shootouts or gang violence, an area Burroughs targets in her campaign to dissuade young men from that destructive lifestyle.

Mason has been to many anti-violence rallies, and didn't think what Burroughs was doing would be different until the read the flyer.

"I was like, 'Wow, somebody really understands and knows what we are going through,''' he said.

The next stop for the "First Step" is a neighbor of Newark.

East Orange, here she comes.

Barry Carter: (973) 836-4925 or bcarter@starledger.com or 

nj.com/carter or follow him on Twitter @BarryCarterSL

Blaze Pizza gives out free slices on opening day

Men were arrested a high-speed chase that spanned two counties, authorities say.

NEWARK -- A South Orange man on Thursday admitted his role in the gunpoint robbery of a Passaic club, the U.S. Attorney's Office said.

Keontrae "Taz" Lawrence, 29, pleaded guilty to federal charges of conspiracy to commit a robbery under the federal Hobbs Act and brandishing a firearm during a crime of violence, according to authorities.

At a plea hearing, Lawrence admitted he and a conspirator pulled a gun and threatened a club employee in the Sept. 6, 2015 holdup, officials said. Lawrence also confessed to stealing approximately $26,000 before fleeing in a getaway car with another robber.

After the holdup, the robbers led police on a high-speed chase that passed through Passaic and Newark before they abandoned the car in East Orange, prosecutors previously said. Authorities arrested Lawrence a short time later.

Lawrence was charged along with Jimmy "Flip" Cooper, of Irvington, 32, and Shaheed "Aboo" Blamahsah, 30, of East Orange in November. Blamahsah pleaded guilty to his role in the robbery and is awaiting sentencing.

A federal grand jury in March indicted Cooper and his charges are pending. Authorities did not specify the name of the club that was robbed.

Noah Cohen may be reached at ncohen@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @noahyc. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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The majority of the baggage handlers, sky caps, wheel chair attendants and cabin cleaners at Newark Airport make so little that many are forced to rely on food stamps, take a second job.

By Ras J. Baraka 

Well-paying jobs are the key to Newark's continued success.

Jobs that pay a living wage and include affordable benefits attract more families who can contribute to our local economy and strengthen our communities.

That's why I am a strong advocate for a $15/hour minimum wage in New Jersey.

And it's why in our Newark2020 jobs initiative,  the city's major employers have committed themselves to hire a specific number of unemployed Newark residents in well-paying jobs. "Well-paying" is the point. Newark Airport could and should be a  hub for well-paying jobs.  But that's not the case for the majority of workers at the Airport. Most of the jobs there now are outsourced to contractors who pay low-wages and offer workers little or no benefits.

The majority of the baggage handlers, sky caps, wheel chair attendants and cabin cleaners at Newark Airport make so little that many are forced to rely on food stamps and other taxpayer-funded government programs in order to put food on the table. 

Others work a second job to help supplement their incomes.  I recently heard from a Newark resident named Daquan Allen: "I work hard every day and I take pride in my job," he told me. "But I am struggling to make ends meet. You can't feed your family on poverty wages. Meanwhile, airlines are making billions. That's not right."

Daquan's story isn't unique. Like him, the majority of privately contracted workers at Newark Airport make just $10.20 per hour. That adds up to about $22,000 per year -- less than the federal poverty level for a family of four.

Making matters worse, privately contracted workers at Newark Airport are among the lowest paid in the nation. In fact, Newark Airport workers make less than workers at LaGuardia and JFK Airports even though they do the same job.  This wage disparity devalues the hard work these men and women do at our airport.

Newark Airport workers -- the majority of whom are immigrants and people of color -- aren't the only transportation workers who deserve better wages.

Subcontracted rail and ferry workers also need a living wage.  When workers don't earn enough to afford the basics, it has a ripple effect.  Not only do their families suffer but also their communities because they have little money to spend at area businesses, which, in turn, impacts the local economy. We need jobs for Newarkers, but we also need those jobs to be good full-time jobs with benefits.

The airlines have not stepped up to fix this low-biding system that has created a race to the bottom in the passenger service industry. And the Port Authority has also turned a blind eye, even though the bi-state agency has the power to implement a higher wage and benefits policy as it has done in the past. The Legislature did pass a bill this year called the Safe Transportation Jobs and Fair Employment Rules Act which would have ensured that privately contracted airport, rail and ferry workers receive the same wages and benefits as publicly contracted unarmed security guards.

Gov. Chris Christie vetoed it.  

I am hopeful with new leadership in Trenton, this legislation will be approved.  Democratic gubernatorial candidate Phil Murphy has said he supports higher wages for airport workers. And so do Democratic leaders at the statehouse.

Despite many roadblocks, contracted airport workers are continuing their fight for justice. I have been with them every step of the way. I have marched and rallied and stood side by side with these courageous workers -- many of whom live in Newark. Airport workers aren't asking for much, just respect, a living wage and a voice on the job. 

With the help of the union, 32BJ, nearly two thousand airport workers have mobilized and recently won their first contract.  But there are still thousands more who have yet to realize that dream.

Whenever your travel on an airline, please remember the airport worker who helps you with your bags, cleans the seat of your airplane and stands guard to ensure your safety.  Stand with them today so their journey for justice can finally take flight.

Ras J. Baraka is mayor of the City of Newark.

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BELLEVILLE -- Lucy is a 4-year-old German shepherd mix in the care of Rosemarie's Rescue Ranch. Lucy loves human attention, but does not like other dogs and needs to be the only canine in a household. Described by volunteers as "easily trainable," Lucy is housebroken, has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots. For more information on Lucy and other...

Lucy 

BELLEVILLE -- Lucy is a 4-year-old German shepherd mix in the care of Rosemarie's Rescue Ranch.

Lucy loves human attention, but does not like other dogs and needs to be the only canine in a household.

Described by volunteers as "easily trainable," Lucy is housebroken, has been spayed and is up-to-date on shots.

For more information on Lucy and other adoptable pets, text 973-220-1900, email SusanRescue@aol.com or go to rosemariesrescueranch.com.

Shelters interested in placing a pet in the Paw Print adoption column or submitting news should call 973-836-4922 or email essex@starledger.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

Who are the best high school football players in New Jersey? NJ.com takes a look.

As Newark braces for a wave of development, elected officials and residents wrangled over who would benefit from the growth.

NEWARK -- The city lurched forward with plans to require affordable housing in new developments and allow riverfront properties to reach as high as 40 stories after a chaotic and confusing meeting left residents scrambling for answers. 

"A lot of people were upset just about the basic question of 'What is going on at this meeting?'" said tenant leader James Powell. 

On Thursday, the City Council voted and re-voted on several measures impacting future development, tax abatements and affordable housing -- unleashing a debate over who would benefit from the city's growth. 

For months housing advocates and city officials have wrangled over how to accommodate interested developers while ensuring local residents are not pushed out. Mayor Ras Baraka has repeatedly pressured the council to pass an inclusionary zoning ordinance that would set aside a percentage of new housing for low- and moderate-income residents.

"We don't want to wait until the city is fully developed," he told the council. "We haven't displaced anybody yet. It does not mean that it won't happen."

Residents and East Ward Councilman Augusto Amador also railed against the administration, saying it was making last minute changes on other key development measures before the public had time to digest it. 

"We the members of this council that have to vote on a very important issue ... are confronted with information at the last minute where the language of the ordinance was changed," Amador said.

The issue revolved around the administration's proposal to allow buildings in a section of the Ironbound to reach as high as 12 stories, up from eight stories. But Amador contended that the plan advertised to the public and council was different than the one presented on Thursday -- and called for up to 15 stories.

Baye Adofo-Wilson, deputy mayor for housing and economic development, said previous versions of the ordinance allowed buildings up to 15 stories but 12 stories was the final compromise.

"We also had conversations with Councilman (Amador) regarding 12 stories. This entire time we've been transparent, the entire time we've communicated with the council," he said. 

Amador refuted those assertions. 

"Here we are at the 11th hour ready to vote ... out of a sense of decency you should have informed the council that this is the compromise," he said. "This is all about respect and process."

"There's a pervasive pattern of substantial changes being made at the last minute," said Sergio Rodriguez, an Ironbound resident. He and others in the neighborhood opposed the measure saying it would dramatically alter the character of the Ironbound. 

The ordinance was ultimately deferred to Sept. 20. 

During the meeting one resident was escorted out by police; another resident complained that city employees loyal to Baraka were allowed to remain despite making loud remarks from the audience. 

Central Ward Councilwoman Chaneyfield Jenkins also reiterated her hesitation to support the inclusionary zoning ordinance without a more specific plan of who it would benefit. 

"How can we effectively put an ordinance in place if we don't know what the process is?" she asked. "I support affordable housing but the issue is affordable for who?"

Among the measures voted on Thursday:

• The inclusionary zoning ordinance passed on first reading with amendments submitted by the law department. There will be a public hearing before adoption on Sept. 20. The ordinance requires housing developers provide at least 20 percent affordable units or to contribute money to help build those affordable units elsewhere.
• A measure to increase the density of buildings along the riverfront passed on first reading and will be heard on second reading on Sept. 20. Along one zone, the buildings would raise the maximum stories from 10 to 25 and in another zone from 30 to 40 stories. 
• Amendments to the city's long term tax abatements that would give a portion of the funds collected in lieu of taxes to the public schools were adopted.
• A plan to increase the maximum number of stories in a six-block section of the Ironbound from eight stories to 12 stories was deferred to Sept. 20. 

Karen Yi may be reached at kyi@njadvancemedia.com. Follow her on Twitter at @karen_yi or on Facebook. 

The NJ.com Football Mega-Coverage guide provides you with links to all the previews and picks to get you ready for Week 1 in New Jersey High School football.

Here is our mega-coverage guide for Week 1 to help get you ready for the first exciting weekend of gridiron action. Make sure to check back as we'll be adding more stories, previews, polls, live update posts and our predictions for every game this weekend as we get ready for games Friday and Saturday.

WEEK 1 ESSENTIALS
• Results, links, LIVE UPDATES for Sept. 8-9 games
• Top 20 for Sept. 3
• Results and links for Opening Week 0
• Statewide football schedule and picks by conference, Week 1
• Top 20 picks and schedule for Week 1
• Quick picks: NJ.com selects winners for every Week 1 football game
• 19 can't-miss match-ups for Week 1
• 3 contests voted to be Games of the Week
• Pope John's game in Florida scrapped due to Hurricane Irma
• Football: Statewide stat leaders from Week 0
• Complete NJ.com football preview

Jersey Strong: The 75 best players in N.J. H.S. football

CONFERENCE SCHEDULE/SCOREBOARD
• Shore Conference schedule/scoreboard Week 1
• North Jersey Super Football Conference schedule/scores for Week 1
• West Jersey Football League Week 1 schedule/scoreboard

POSITION PREVIEWS
• Ground control: N.J. football's running backs to watch for 2017
• Linebackers to watch, 2017
• Offensive linemen to watch
• Sack mentality: Defensive linemen/pass rushers to watch
• Kickers, punters, long snappers to watch 
• Wide receivers, tight ends to
• Defensive backs to watch
• Quarterbacks to watch
• The best 75 football players in New Jersey (Coming Sept. 8)

MUST-READ CONTENT
• Kneeling for anthem, 1 year later: N.J. football coach on intense year, what's next
• Millville still has chip on shoulder, ready to defend South Jersey Group 5 football title
• 20 bold predictions for Week 1 of the N.J. football season
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• SJT Game of the Week: Highland, Woodrow Wilson ready for huge Game 1 test
• Game Preview: Holy Cross at Bordentown, Friday, 7pm in the Times of Trenton Game of the Week
• N.J.'s top 17 uncommitted senior football prospects and where they might go
• Which Rutgers football recruits are visiting for the Eastern Michigan game?
• New stadium, old wounds have Seton Hall Prep extra motivated against No. 6 Don Bosco Prep
• 20 bold predictions for Week 1 of the N.J. football season
• Old Bridge to host "Holiday Knight" toy drive for Marisa Tufaro Foundation
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• Hudson County 2017 team-by-team preview
• Hudson County football players to watch in 2017
• 2017 Hudson County high school football full schedule
• Trenton Times football Top 10 for Sept. 6
• N.J. alums who made an impact during college football opening weekend
• Super Conference Stars: Top 10 performers from NJSFC United Red, White in Week 0

Joe Zedalis may be reached at jzedalis@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @josephzedalis. Like NJ.com HS sports on Facebook.

NEWARK -- Members of the Thomas A. Edison Science Club at Weequahic High School in Newark are shown in this photo from the 1960s. MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more...

NEWARK -- Members of the Thomas A. Edison Science Club at Weequahic High School in Newark are shown in this photo from the 1960s.

MORE: Vintage photos around New Jersey

If you would like to share a photo that provides a glimpse of history in your community, please call 973-836-4922 or send an email to essex@starledger.com. And, check out more glimpses of history in our online galleries on nj.com.

Greg Hatala may be reached at ghatala@starledger.com. Follow him on Twitter @GregHatala. Find Greg Hatala on Facebook.

NJ.com takes a look at N.J. alums on 2017 NFL rosters on the eve of the new season.

Which teams will have the strongest support in the back this season?

Appellate court panel rejects arguments by Essex County Executive that the ELEC case involving the alleged misspending of thousands in campaign finance funds was improperly brought.

TRENTON--The long-disputed case against Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo charging he improperly spent tens of thousands of dollars in campaign funds is headed back to court, after a election law complaint against the powerful Democrat was reinstated by an appeals court.

In a 33-page ruling, a state appellate panel rejected arguments that the case by the Election Law Enforcement Commission should have been tossed out because the vote to bring legal proceedings against DiVincenzo had not been bipartisan in nature.

The ruling essentially resurrected a case that had been dismissed on a legal technicality, sending it back to the state's Office of Administrative Law for new hearings.

DiVincenzo is accused of misusing more than $16,000 in campaign funds and failing to disclose nearly $72,000 in campaign spending over a two-year period--including more than $9,000 for airfare, hotel stays and food for two trips to Puerto Rico during Super Bowl weekends in 2011 and 2012.

The event in Puerto Rico had been described by DiVincenzo as a political retreat for Essex County Democrats.

The complaint also charged that DiVincenzo used his campaign account to pay for tickets to the U.S. Open, Devils games and a Houston Astros game; a $676.94 tuxedo at Joseph A. Bank; a $97.25-a-month gym membership; and more than $100 in parking tickets in Nutley.

"It's been a long time obviously in coming, but we as a staff and the commission always had confidence that we were on the right side of this argument and would prevail," said Jeffrey M. Brindle, ELEC's executive director, following the ruling.

Brindle called it the longest-running case in ELEC's history.

Attorney Angelo Genova of Newark, who represents DiVincenzo, said he plans to pursue an appeal.

"The court's opinion, while addressing numerous important legal issues of first impression, does not in any way address or determine the merits of any of the claims made against my client with regard to the use of campaign funds under New Jersey's campaign finance laws," he said. "In fact, the opinion makes no finding whatsoever that my client violated any law."

Genova added "the important legal issues raised in this case are bigger than Mr. DiVincenzo, and, in fact, touch upon significant issues of administrative law and the proper role of the courts in reviewing agency decisions and, most importantly, undermine the almost 50-year-old tradition of the bipartisan administration of our election laws."

A long-fought case

The case was first brought in 2013, but fell apart after an administrative law judge in 2015 ruled the election commission had no authority to act because no Democrats had participated in the enforcement proceeding.

The commission then appealed.

At issue was whether ELEC could take any action against DiVincenzo without a bipartisan vote.

By law, the four-member commission cannot have any more than two members of the same party--historically two Democrats and two Republicans. However, open seats on the election watchdog agency left unfilled for years by Gov. Chris Christie, a close friend and ally of DiVincenzo, and a recusal by former commissioner Walter Timpone--now a Supreme Court justice--meant that no Democrats participated in the vote to bring action against the county executive.

Lawyers for DiVincenzo pledged an appeal. (Aristide Economopoulos | NJ Advance Media for NJ.com) 

In a series of court filings, attorneys for DiVincenzo said the commission was  precluded from voting on the case and the administrative law judge agreed. ELEC maintained that said the judge misinterpreted the state's Campaign Act, which it argued did not require a bipartisan vote to issue a complaint.

In Friday's ruling, written by Judge Marianne Espinosa, the appellate court said it could "find no basis to adopt respondents' interpretation that the act requires a bipartisan vote to authorize a complaint."

The court noted that while the Campaign Act "plainly requires that no one political party dominate the commission, it does not mandate membership by any political party."

The opinion added that the Campaign Act "imposes no requirement that any number of commissioners must vote in favor of any of these actions before the commission may proceed."

The court also pointed out that while the Legislature had included specific language regarding a quorum necessary for any action, "there is no similar sweeping limitation on the commission's exercise of its authority under the act."

DiVincenzo's campaign spending initially came under scrutiny more than five years ago after a former political opponent filed a complaint with ELEC regarding his alleged lack of disclosure on election finance reports.

In an examination of his campaign filings, The Star-Ledger found over one four-month period that DiVincenzo had used campaign funds to pay for more than 100 meals, 28 golf games and airfare for a planned trip to Puerto Rico. Those reports also showed he amassed about $250,000 in charges to his personal credit cards, paying off the bills with his campaign account without itemizing any of the charges.

Ted Sherman may be reached at tsherman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TedShermanSL. Facebook: @TedSherman.reporter. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

A transgender woman from Bayonne claims she was humiliated when an off-duty sheriff's officer and employees at a local grocery store accused her of shoplifting.

PATERSON - A transgender woman from Bayonne claims she was humiliated when an off-duty sheriff's officer and employees at a local grocery store accused her of shoplifting and forced her to show her private parts.

"I need to see what's in your pants," the officer said three times during the May 12 incident, according to a lawsuit filed last month in Hudson County Superior Court.

The officer, identified as "John Doe" and wearing an Essex County sheriff's uniform, was working security at Food Fair on Market Street in Paterson when he approached the woman about 10 p.m. and made the demands, the suit states.

"In response to the officer's demands, plaintiff stated she is a female who identifies as a transgender woman and wears a prosthetic penis," the suit states.

The officer told the woman and the store manager he would call a female officer to inspect the woman's pants, the suit claims.

The woman tried to leave, but the officer insisted he needed to inspect her pants, the suit states.

At this point, the woman "began begging for help and felt scared, humiliated, intimidated and abused," the suit states, adding that she sought help from a cashier "to no avail."

"Shockingly, rather than wait for a female police officer to arrive, a female cashier was called to conduct an invasive inspection," the suit states.

Attorney Thomas A. McKinney of Morristown, who filed the suit, said his client was born a woman and is in the process of transitioning into a man.

"Plaintiff identifies as a transgender woman who wears a prosthetic penis," McKinney states in the suit. 

"My understanding is that (the officer) saw something in her pants, which was the prosthetic device, and thought she took something from the store and was hiding it," McKinney said. "She didn't steal anything. She didn't touch a single thing in that store." 

'Serial litigator' threatens complaints against judge

The inspection took place in a store restroom, McKinney states in the suit.

"During this inspection, plaintiff showed the cashier the prosthetic penis and her vagina," the suit states.

As the woman walked out of the restroom crying, the officer said, "I am so sorry," the lawsuit states.

The suit alleges the officer and store employees falsely imprisoned the woman and violated state anti-discrimination laws. In addition, the suit accuses the unnamed officer of aiding and abetting discrimination by encouraging the inspection.

The woman claims she suffered and continues to suffer from emotional distress, pain and other ailments.

The suit seeks a jury trial, along with compensatory damages, punitive damages and attorneys' fees.

"We know nothing about this nor have we been served with papers," said Kevin Lynch, spokesman for the Essex County Sheriff's Office.

Lynch questioned whether the unnamed officer even works for the county.

Calls to Food Fair were not returned Friday morning.

Anthony G. Attrino may be reached at tattrino@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @TonyAttrino. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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