Navy vet created a Facebook page to point out the Stafford mayor's exaggerations
STAFFORD -- A Navy veteran who alleged township officials retaliated against him after he pointed out the Stafford mayor lied about serving in Vietnam has reached a $34,000 settlement with the township.
Stafford Mayor John Spodofora Retired Navy Master Chief Earl Galloway settled the lawsuit in June about two-and-a-half years after he created a spoof Facebook page outlining Mayor John Spodofora's exaggerations and fabrications about his time in the military.
The news was first reported by NJ Civil Settlements, which provides a partial list of settlements paid by New Jersey government agencies and their insurers to those who have sued them.
Besides the mayor, the suit named police chief Joseph Gibberson as a defendant and alleged Spodofora directed the police department to retaliate against him.
Galloway said Spodofora later filed an identity theft charge against him and used his influence to keep Galloway out of the Stafford GOP Club, according to the lawsuit. The mayor also publicly accused Galloway of hacking into a computer belonging to one of his children to steal files, the suit says.
Spodofora admitted in March 2012 that while has in the U.S. Navy from 1966-1973, he never set foot in Vietnam. The now 70-year-old was a cryptographer assigned to an office or submarine in the Caribbean and Mediterranean.
Spodofora previously claimed on a campaign website that he had received a "Medal of Valor" for his service in Vietnam.
But the "Medal of Valor," which is not a U.S. military decoration, was awarded to Spodofora by a hunting club in Tucson, Ariz.
Jeff Goldman may be reached at jeff_goldman@njadvancemedia.com. Follow him on Twitter @JeffSGoldman. Find NJ.com on Facebook.