Resident Shares in $1.59 Settlement with County

A South Plainfield resident is one of two former sheriff's officers to share in a $1.59 million bias-suit settlement, according to the New Jersey Law Journal.

Angel Jazikoff, 42, of South Plainfield, and Joan Ivan, 38, of Edison both sued the Middlesex County Sheriff's Office, saying they endured sexual harassment and sexual discrimination at the hands of the department and its superior officers.

The settlement awards $752,500 to Jazikoff and Ivan,with the exact split undisclosed.  The remaining $837,500 is for legal fees.

Jazikoff and Ivan said they were subjected to sexually suggestive remarks, propositions, and discrimination in their assignments and overtime.  Named in the suit were Sheriff Joseph Spicuzzo, former Undersheriff Joseph Falcone, Lieutenant Donald Blount, and Sgt. Bruce Allen.  As part of the allegations, Ivan accused one county officer of groping her, and Jazikoff claimed another exposed himself to her.

Neither Jazikoff nor Ivan still work for the department.  Jazikoff left in 2006 when she went on disability due to a hand injury, and Ivan was discharged in 2003 after failing to qualify on the firing range.

Former South Plainfield Borough Attorney Patrick Bradshaw represented the county and Spicuzzo.  The Middlesex County freeholders approved the settlement on April 19th.