Richardson school secretary Hector Muniz was found guilty on August 2013 of possessing and selling alcohol on school property. This incident, which began in December 2011, will cost taxpayers hundreds of thousand of dollars and was covered up until Caffrey was suspended and Interim Superintendent Dr Vivian Rodriguez reported the matter to to the police. On May 2, 2012 Tom Haydon reported that “all involved Richardson staff members including principal, vice-principal, and support staff [Hector Muniz] have been placed on leave pending the investigation.”

Ruiz said Superintendent Janine Caffrey, who has since been placed on administrative leave, “notified his department several months ago about the alcohol allegations. The chief said the issue was handled internally and there was insufficient evidence for a police investigation. This makes no sense whatsoever, Ruiz said of the school staff members being relieved of their duties.”

On May 18, 2012 Haydon reported that Caffrey was reinstated. “Police were asked to review the matter after she was removed from her post, Caffrey said, and she waited for that to be completed before notifying the Richardson school staffers on Thursday to report to work today. Perth Amboy Police Chief Ben Ruiz confirmed that then-acting School Superintendent Vivian Rodriguez asked police to look at events at the school after Caffrey was placed on leave — even though Caffrey had already notified the department and it had concluded no crime was committed.” Ruiz said.

On August 28, 2012 Haydon reports “Richardson Principal Cores, in his counterclaim, said he was “informed in December 2011 that Muniz had a flier advertising the drink taped to his computer, and Cores told Muniz to remove it. Cores and Caffrey said there was never any alcoholic beverage in the school. Caffrey said the district investigated the incident in December and determined there were no violations.”

On August 1, 2013 Suzanne Russell reports that Hector Muniz was found guilty of possessing and selling alcohol on school property. Also that after being reinstated by Caffrey, who claimed that the police investigation was completed on May 18, 2012, Muniz was placed on administrative leave a second time by Caffrey in June 2012 after receiving summons by the police.

Why is this of importance to both the City Administration and to the BOE? Hector Muniz was paid to sit at home for 15 months with pay and benefits even though he was found guilty. He was found guilty even though Caffrey and Ruiz could find no evidence of a crime for six months.

Also sitting at home with pay [$178,000 a year] and benefits is Dr. Rodriguez who demanded a police investigation and an end to the cover up. I believe that it would reasonable to conclude that the Rodriguez settlement is connected with her involvement in the Muniz affair. Since this disorderly persons offense was delayed for so long the total cost including lawyers and Dr Rodriguez settlement will be significant!

Why did Ruiz rely on an internal investigation and claim there was insufficient evidence for a police investigation for six months? Why did Caffrey claim in the Amboy Guardian that she did not know about the incident until April 2012, when Ruiz claimed on May 2 that she had notified him several [more than two] months ago? That would bring the time to February. Caffrey said the district investigated the incident in December. Are we to believe the district would have the temerity [defined as unreasonable or foolhardy contempt of danger] to not notify the Superintendent of this investigation?

Why did Ruiz base his lack of an investigation on Caffrey’s police expertise stating “Caffrey had already notified the department and it had concluded no crime was committed? “Thereʼs nothing criminal there, so there was no reason for an investigation,” Ruiz said.” Why did Caffrey claim that the police investigation was completed on May 18 when she reinstated the Richardson personnel, yet Muniz was issued his summons in June?

Why is it that Mayor Diaz who, on April 22, 2012, wanted the State to investigate the BOE and claimed great injustice, but has strangely remained silent on this cost of hundreds of thousands of dollars to the taxpayers?

Finally, there is Caffrey’s total disregard for the intelligence of the people of Perth Amboy. Again and again in multiple articles, including twice in the Amboy Guardian, she declares the Judge found her guiltless. Caffrey cites statute 2C:33-16 which reads: “without expressed written permission” and not if Caffrey or anyone had knowledge. Muniz was found Guilty because of the evidence and because he did not have written permission. So give it up Caffrey and go rescue another town!

— Alan Silber