Letter written by former Secret Service Agent

Dr. Vitta's Legacy

Professional Educator. Master School Administrator. College Professor. Dedicated Husband, Father, Grandfather, And Loyal Friend To Many

Bump on My Road of Professional Success

“Those Without Sin Cast The First Stone”

Fact: I was charged with Obstruction of Justice/ Witness Tampering

Fact: This happened years after my retirement

Fact: I pled guilty to this offense. There was no arrest or indictment.

Fact: I mistakenly told someone not to tell the truth about a gift(s) given to my daughter at her graduation party at the Madison Hotel in 2007. It should be noted that I had given the gifts back shortly after the gathering in 2007. However, the mistake, error in judgment or offense as it’s called happened in 2013/14. It truly was a mind boggling stupid act on my part. I am not including all the details of this here but the charge was as stated above

Fact: Federal Judge Chesler said if he thought I took a bribe he would be sending me to jail; however what happened here is very unclear and it represented mind-boggling stupidity. There was no restitution of the gifts at all as there was no bribery or corruption.

Fact: I was sentenced to three years of probation with the first year being home confinement. I was also fined $10,000

Fact: I never was charged with bribery or corruption and I never did anything against the law in the past. The word corruption or crooked was never used by anyone other than an article written by a radio station and perhaps some other media outlet. I assume that those words were used to inflame what occurred and to defame my good name

Fact: I am also a very trusting, amiable human being and let many people into my life. I have been told by many this is part of my personality and that I should be far more careful as to whom I call a friend.

Fact: I had over 135 strong letters of support from individuals in all professions including a former Chief of Police, a former Secret Service Agent, Police Officers, Doctors, Detectives, Lawyers, Board of Education Members, Professional Colleagues, Family, Friends, former students and neighbors

Fact: I take full responsibility for my stupidity and for the offense as well as the pain and suffering I caused myself, my family and friends

Fact: About a year after adjudication of the offense, the State of New Jersey filed a civil lawsuit against me claiming that the offense would precipitate a forfeiture of my earned pension and medical benefits and that I should be barred from public employment

Fact: This lawsuit went on for months and a vigorous battle was fought by my attorney and the attorneys for the State of New Jersey

Fact: Superior Court Judge Mary Jacobson ruled and a final judgment was declared with prejudice meaning that this case can never be brought forth again. She ruled that the State of New Jersey failed to prove that what happened touched upon my role as Superintendent and that my pension must be restored immediately and retroactively. She also ruled that I could work in public employment.

Fact: The State of New Jersey filed a motion appealing her decision to the New Jersey Appellate Court. The State of New Jersey then dropped their appeal on August 3, 2016 indicating that upon further review of the record and issues in this case that it was decided that the State should withdraw its Notice of Appeal

Fact: The New Jersey Bureau of Pensions refused to abide by Judge Mary Jacobson’s decision and my attorney had to fight vigorously with the pension bureau

Fact: The Judge had to once again be asked to reissue her order and after more legal briefs and battles my pension was finally restored in late August 2016

Fact: Steve Edelstein, my attorney, is in my humble opinion, the absolute best expert in the field of school law and pensions. The legal briefs and oral arguments were outstanding and truthful. He and his team carefully examined all the issues and provided concrete examples as to why the State was so off base in even bringing forth such a lawsuit.

Fact: This entire ordeal took years off my life and caused so much suffering not only to me but to my wife, children and all my family and friends. I take full responsibility for my stupid ridiculous action.

Fact: There are definitely media outlets that choose words that are inflammatory such as crooked Superintendent and Corrupt etc. These are defamatory remarks that incite the public with information that is totally erroneous.

Fact: In addition, the New Jersey Board of Examiners also did not abide by the Judge’s decision regarding working in public employment and decided to try to revoke my certification. After another legal battle I agreed to settle for a 3 year suspension of my School Administrator’s Certificate.

Fact: I presented above the facts and only the facts. There can be no dispute over what is written here.

Fact: As I said above I was wrong and this was a major blip in my successful career. It will be a stigma I must learn to live with all my life.

It is my hope that others can learn from my mistake

It is also my hope that I can move forward despite fake news and the damage I did to my reputation

It is my hope that whoever lays eyes on this website reads the various pages in total

I plan to post about 25 of the 135 letters of support I received during this life altering crisis

It has been a rough road but with God, Family and Friends I survived

I plan to move forward with integrity and dignity

2017

Gary Vitta

January 28, 2015

Honorable Stanley R. Chesler, U.S.D.J.

United States District Court

Frank R. Lautenberg U.S. Post Office & Courthouse

2 Federal Square

Newark, New Jersey 07102

Re: United States v. Gary Vitta

Crim. No. 15-01

Dear Judge Chesler,

I am writing to you on behalf of Dr. Gary Vitta who I have known for 40 years. I understand that Gary has made a mistake and has pled guilty and will be sentenced in your courtroom on April 22, 2015.

Our relationship began when Gary was my 9th grade science teacher in Brooklyn, New York many years ago. He was a very popular and charismatic teacher who was looked upon as a mentor by many of us. In addition, Gary was very involved in school activities and always did his best to help me and my friends during those crucial years of growing up. Dr. Vitta always pushed academics to us as a key to success and he himself continued to strive for higher education culminating in his doctorate. After I graduated we continued to stay in touch through the Alumni Association and I am proud to be able to call him a good friend, as well as a mentor within my life. I can’t tell you the many hours of conversations we have had dealing with all areas of education, family life and in particular, about my own child.

On this personal note, about 5 years ago I began having tremendous problems with my teenage son and the first person I called for advice was Gary. I knew with his experience as an educator and father that he would be able to steer my wife and me in the right direction. Gary took the time and energy out of his busy schedule to meet with my son and me. He was able to talk to my son and begin the process of key assistance in a situation that was growing out of control. In addition, he recommended a professional to work with our family and to redirect my son. This intervention targeted deficiencies and thankfully my son was given the professional care and guidance he needed to successfully graduate high school. My family and I, in particular, are so grateful that he was the initiator of finally getting the correct help we so desperately needed for my son. We were going through a very difficult time and Gary’s kindness and his caring about me and my son cannot be understated. Very few people would go out of their way like Gary did for my son and my whole family. Dr. Vitta has consistently kept on top of my situation and we frequently discuss any and all updates to my son’s situation and his future.

Your Honor, I have witnessed the physical and mental strain that has clearly affected Gary during the development of this case. He has already suffered and been punished by the shame and embarrassment that he has bestowed upon his loved ones, as well as the overwhelming remorse he feels. As a retired United States Secret Service agent who is now in the private sector, I have the utmost respect for the judicial system and the court’s directives with regard to sentencing.

As a friend of Gary’s I ask that you please take into consideration the outstanding personal and professional background of Gary and his unique ability in assisting many children in their pursuit of educational and personal success. If you can, please exhibit whatever leniency could be afforded him during this terrible time in my friend’s life.

Respectfully,

Michael G. Mooney

Retired Secret Service Agent