A bar owner alleges in a lawsuit that Morristown’s mayor has made his “personal goal" to limit any chances of the business has at success after the mayor was rebuffed from investing in the venture.

According to the suit, filed by bar owner James Cavanaugh in U.S. District Court in New Jersey earlier this month, Morristown Mayor Timothy Dougherty has used his power to block roadways leading to the bar, the Iron Bar, restrict liquor licenses and serving times, as well as the powers of the the town’s council and police department - all to discourage customers from patronizing Cavanaugh’s bars.

Cavanaugh, a former Essex County freeholder, also owns The Revolution Social Brew House, in town. He says he attempted to expand further and open a bar named Gran Cantina, but claims he did not due to illegitimate reasons from town officials.

The mayor’s “arbitrary and capricious campaign" against the establishments stem from the bar owner refusing to let the mayor invest in Gran Cantina, the suit says.

Dougherty allegedly demanded that his investment into the proposed bar be made under the name of his son, Ryan Dougherty.

"I think the facts and allegations in the complaint speak for themselves. We are prepared to move ahead and prove those allegations,” Cavanaugh’s attorney, Ryder T. Ulon, said this week.

A spokesperson for Morristown’s mayor referred comment for the complaint to the town’s attorney who did not immediately respond to request for comment.

Unwarranted flashing lights from the police cars, uniformed officers and roadblocks put on the bars’ surrounding streets give the impression that a “catastrophic event” happened near them, scaring away tavern-goers, Cavanaugh alleges in the complaint.

The town also denied liquor licenses for Cavanaugh’s establishments and required them to close early, the suit alleges. When Cavanaugh appealed the decision to close early, in April 2017, a two-day hearing was held where the town clerk noted no other establishments in the town operated with such restricted hours.

The complaint further alleges that Dougherty used wife, who is on the town’s planning board and a member of Morris County School of Technology’s board, to ensure that his personal wishes are carried out by government actors “regardless of their illegitimacy.”

On one occasion, when Cavanaugh said he stopped to say hello to Dougherty while driving home from Morristown, Dougherty angrily responded, “You f----- with the wrong people."

Another reason for the towns’ dispute with Cavanaugh is due to his ongoing suit against the Morristown Parking Authority.

A town councilwoman referenced the suit when Cavanaugh applied for his liquor license, saying, “Why should we give you anything? You’re suing the town.”

Taylor Tiamoyo Harris may be reached at tharris@njadvancemedia.com. Find NJ.com on Facebook.

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