A jury awarded a former Elizabeth Fire Inspector $2.1 million for damages he sustained while working for the city.
According to court records, Fred Bonda was awarded an additional $1 million in punitive damages plus $750,000 for lost wages and $350,000 for emotional distress.
Records showed that the City of Elizabeth was made to pay punitive damages on top of other compensation to punish and deter a defendant from future "egregious behavior."
Bonda stated that harassments began when safety violations were found at a city location, which included a deli and an apartment building owned by friends of the Mayor.
Bonda was removed as a firefighter to the inspector's job where he lost a significant amount of money and harassed records stated.