In his first day on the stand to resolve his discrimination lawsuit against the Union City Police Department, retired Officer Juan Estrella testified that Mayor Brian Stack told him he would be promoted before a conflict with then-Chief Nichelle Luster changed plans.
During Monday’s session in the historic William Brennan Courthouse in Jersey City, Estrella noted that he inquired with Luster about his promotion after his disciplinary matters were closed, further alleging he was told he needed to speak with Stack.
Shortly thereafter, the former officer testified that Stack – also the state senator of the 33rd Legislative District and the city’s police director – had called his father, someone he previously said he knew going back many years, and wanted to meet with them both.
During the subsequent encounter, Stack told him he would be promoted in a brief conversation in between him performing marriage ceremonies, after which he hugged both Estrella and his father, according to sworn testimony from Estrella…