The ex-New Jersey school superintendent who shot to fame for pleading guilty to defecating on another high school's track field has filed a lawsuit against the Holmdel Police Department for publicly releasing his mugshot.
Thomas W. Tramaglini, 43, was arrested last year after surveillance video caught him relieving himself near Holmdel High School's track and football field. Students and staff had been complaining about a "mystery pooper" who had been leaving feces near the school's field on an almost "daily" basis, authorities said. Tramaglini's arrest quickly went viral and became national news after was arrested on charges including lewdness, littering and defecating in public. He was placed on paid leave from his position as Superintendent of Kenilworth Public Schools after his arrest.
This week, Tramaglini filed a lawsuit in federal court against the department stating that the agency's "unauthorized, intentional, reckless, malicious, and unlawful conduct" led to negative attention that has publicly damaged his reputation. The lawsuit claims Holmdel police improperly took his photo and leaked it to news agencies.
"Tramaglini will never achieve the level of compensation, benefits, and retirement pension income that he would have otherwise if the unlawfully taken photographs of him had not been released to the media to satisfy the prurient interests of certain members of the Holmdel Township Police Department and others that they conspired with," wrote Tramaglini's attorney, Matthew S. Adams.
The mugshot was even "cited by Kenilworth Board of Education officials as a basis for parting ways with (Tramaglini)," the lawsuit states.
The former superintendent pleaded guilty last May to a charge of defecating in public and paid a $500 fine. Two other charges were dismissed by prosecutors.
The lawsuit argues that state law prevents the department from releasing mugshots of low-level offenders, like the charge Tramaglini pleaded guilty to last year. The complaint also alleges that a school resource officer took Tramaglini into custody without properly advising him of his rights.
Tramaglini received more than $109,000 after negotiating a separation agreement with Kenilworth Public Schools. The termination package reportedly included compensation due to him for paid leave, unused vacation time as well as an early termination payment.
Photo: Holmdel Police Department