NJ Supreme Court To Hear Mayor And Cop Case

WILDWOOD, N.J. (AP) -- The New Jersey Supreme Court was expected to consider whether someone can simultaneously serve as a police officer and mayor in the same municipality.

Wildwood Mayor Gary DeMarzo claims he should be allowed to do both as long as he's on unpaid leave from the police department. An appeals court ruled otherwise, forcing DeMarzo to choose one job or the other.

DeMarzo was elected to the Wildwood city commission in May 2007 while he was still working as a police officer. He became mayor in 2009.

Former Wildwood Mayor Ernie Troiano Jr. and former Commissioner Bill Davenport challenged DeMarzo's job status, claiming multiple conflicts of interest.

DeMarzo said he's happy the high court will hear the case. No date has been set yet.

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