TOMS RIVER, NJ — Long-serving Ocean County Freeholder Joseph H. Vicari says there should be limits on freedom of speech in the wake of media coverage shortly before last month's election of the $550,000 settlement of a sexual harassment suit against him, according to a report.

The Asbury Park Press reported Vicari made the remarks from the dais during the freeholders' bimonthly meeting. Vicari, who was elected to his 13th three-year term in November, currently serves as freeholder director. Vicari spent a significant amount of time complaining about politics and what he called unfair treatment by the local news media during his official remarks at the meeting, according to the report.

"I think something has to be done radically in the United States as far as what people say during campaigns," Vicari said, and complained about press releases that weren't published by local news media, according to the report.

Vicari was particularly angry about coverage of $550,000 settlement of a sexual harassment and discrimination lawsuit brought against Ocean County that accused him of condoning harassment by a contractor, according to the report.

Rosemary Mennona, who was then the county's general supervisor of building services, named the longtime freeholder as a defendant in the sexual harassment and discrimination suit in April 2014. Vicari was the freeholder liaison to her department.

Mennona said in the suit that Vicari, "condoned or instructed" county contractor, Joseph M. Veni of JMV Consulting & Inspection Services in Brick, to engage in unwanted sexual advances, sexual harassment and sexual assault against her, which created a hostile work environment.



News of the settlement broke just days before the election in November.