EDISON, NJ – In a case highlighting the judiciary’s resistance to political influence, the Superior Court of New Jersey has sanctioned the Township of Edison for failing to properly prepare Mayor Sam Joshi for a deposition in a land dispute case. The court’s decision emphasizes the importance of diligence and impartiality in legal proceedings, even amidst potential political fallout.
The ongoing litigation, which stems from a contested property sale of 41 Glenadale Ave in Edison, involves JVS Industrial & Commercial Contractors, Inc. (Plaintiff) and 41 Glendale LLC, Stalwart Equities, Inc., and the Township of Edison (Defendants). The Plaintiff’s goal is to enforce the 2019 Settlement and Land Exchange Agreement by voiding the sale to Edison and compelling the transfer of the designated property from 41 Glendale and Stalwart
The Plaintiff’s motion for sanctions stemmed from Mayor Joshi’s deposition, where it became apparent that he was ill-prepared to testify on behalf of the Township. According to court documents, Mayor Joshi admitted to only “skimming” documents and not reviewing crucial information related to the case. This lack of preparation hindered the Plaintiff’s ability to gather essential information. Moreover, his repeated assertion that the deposition was a ‘waste of his time’ revealed a disrespectful attitude that umphasized his failure to take the proceedings seriously
Judge Lisa M. Vignuolo, presiding over the case, ruled that Edison’s failure to properly prepare Mayor Joshi constituted a violation of a prior court order. As a result, the Judge imposed sanctions, ordering Edison to pay $1,987.50 to the Plaintiff, representing half of the legal fees incurred in connection with the deposition.
Sanctions of this nature are relatively uncommon, especially against a municipality. They affirm the court’s authority and willingness to enforce its orders and ensure that parties engage in the discovery process in good faith. By imposing these sanctions, the court sends a clear message that inadequate preparation and disregard for court orders will have consequences.
While the sanctions are a setback for Edison, the court stopped short of granting all the relief sought by the Plaintiff. The Plaintiff’s request to strike Edison’s answer and enter a default judgment was denied. However, the Court also granted a protective order limiting the use of the audiovisual recording of Mayor Joshi’s deposition to trial proceedings only.
Rainone Coughlin MInchello, the Township’s legal counsel, is under intense scrutiny from some Council members regarding this case. Their discontent is further amplified by Judge Lisa Vignuolo’s ruling, which explicitly stated, “It is clear that Edison did not adequately prepare Mayor Joshi for the January 21, 2025, deposition date and that he was unable or simply unwilling to testify to Edison’s knowledge of various enumerated topics in the deposition notice,” directly challenging the firm’s handling of the mayor’s preparation.
