Sanitation Worker Fired After Reports Of Demanding Drinks For Pickup At Jersey City Bar

JERSEY CITY, N.J. (CBSNewYork) -- A sanitation worker in Jersey City has been fired, after being accused of refusing to pick up the trash at a local bar unless the bartender served them free drinks, CBS2 has learned.

The worker who was employed by Regional Industries, and was supposed to pick up recycling in Jersey City. But the owner of the Pint Bar said before doing their jobs, the man and others would demand drinks or cash, for bribes.

"The guy was so blatant, and he seemed to think in this day and age that he wouldn't get caught," said Wolf Sterling, owner of The Pint in Jersey City.

As CBS2 reported exclusively Tuesday night, Sterling has been fighting back against the sanitation workers he claimed tried to shake down employees at his bar. It all started on Aug. 13, when surveillance video showed a man representing the Jersey City Incinerator Authority walking up to the bar window and allegedly demanding that the employee step outside.

"He informed my employee his supervisor told him he could no longer pick up our recycling, but he would do so if we bribed him with liquor," Sterling said.

The bartender refused, and the man promised to return. The worker is employed by the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, an independent agency contracted by the city.

When the worker returned last week, Sterling said his surveillance cameras captured the man once again demanding alcohol in exchange for doing his job.

"They asked for liquor, and made it clear they would have to supply them liquor on a weekly basis for this gentleman and his entire truck in order for them to continue picking up our trash," Sterling said.

Sterling said when he tried to report the incident to the Jersey City Incinerator Authority, he was met with resistance.

"They said that if I pursued the complaint that I would have city inspectors come through my business, so it was a threat not to pursue the complaint," he said.

The city of Jersey City also said it is investigating this incident.