Dr. Gary Vitta Key Letter of Support

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

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,

My name is Dr Stephen Forlano and I am writing to you today on behalf of my lifelong teacher, mentor, advisor, and trusted friend Gary Vitta. My relationship with Gary began over 40 years ago as an adolescent entering my first year at Bishop Ford High School in Brooklyn, New York, 1974. Unbeknown to both of us, Gary was beginning a dignified career as an educator and I was starting out a teenager looking for direction. Gary immediately took notice of my ability to excel in the field of Science and Biology and became my endless source of inspiration, guidance, and support, directing my future education and ultimately the path of my life. Ranking 8th in a graduating class of over 200 students, I went on to receive a Bachelor of Science Degree from Fordham University in 1982, and culminated my education achieving a Doctorate Degree of Dental Surgery from Georgetown University in 1986.Gary’s influence on the value of education and my life has been extraordinary. I attribute my professional accomplishments to the discussions, advice, guidance and tutelage afforded to me by Gary, who instilled confidence, self-esteem, honesty and perseverance during such formative years. Gary continued to lead by example, advancing the commitment to education, obtaining his Doctorate Degree as we followed similar paths during the growth of our friendship.

Dr. Gary Vitta took me under his wing becoming a big brother to me, sharing genuine interest in furthering my education and success as a student, but most importantly shaping my morals, ethics and character as a young man, later as a father, and to this day as a respected professional in the health care system. Over the 40 years of friendship, I have known Dr.Vitta to be generous with his wisdom, knowledge and kindness to my entire family, and all who have approached him in need. Dr.Vitta took the time to write numerous outstanding letters of recommendation for me, my children and many of his past students. These fine letters have been instrumental for all who have confided in Dr Vitta in attaining their goals on the educational ladder and in the workplace. In addition, these young men and women have all gone on to careers as professionals exemplifying true standards of integrity and gratitude.

Dr. Vitta has served a lifetime in the educational system advising, teaching and making very difficult decisions. Dr. Vitta has always made these decisions based on what is right and in the best interest of the students, teachers and administrators for their futures. He has never put himself ahead of what is just. I have known Gary to be trustworthy and honest, but most importantly a man with impeccable integrity, there to listen and help others, especially those exhibiting indecision, confusion and turmoil. Just recently I was diagnosed with Parkinson’s disease, currently crippling my professional career as a dental surgeon. I called upon Dr Vitta once again for his compassion, advice and help. Although Dr. Vitta is encountering the most difficult emotional pain in his life, he has been a tower of strength for me and my family. Without his words of hope and courage, prayers of healing, and someone to lean on, I would be unable to battle this horrific disease. He has once again moved others to the forefront.

Your Honor, in speaking with Dr.Vitta multiple times over the course of the last few months, I have heard the pain in his voice, witnessed the suffering in his face and felt the agony of his humiliation. The embarrassment and shame Dr.Vitta and his family have endured are immeasurable. Dr.Vitta’s remorse for his error in judgment is insurmountable and real. His faith has been weakened. He is frightened and afraid for his wife Susan and his two daughters Alyson and Pamela. His mother Jennie, his brothers Louis and Ronnie, and his sister Barbara are living in shock and disbelief, praying that you will weigh all the goodness Dr. Vitta has brought to so many in your decision. This nightmare has taken its toll on Dr. Vitta, stripping him temporarily of what he does best, giving of himself to others. Today is my chance to return the help that Dr. Gary Vitta has granted to me over a lifetime.

Judge Chesler, as a friend of Gary’s for 41 years, he has only treated me and my family with love and kindness. I would ask you to consider his past history of guiding and shaping the lives of many teenagers and adults in reaching their goals of academic and personal success. Please consider all the virtues Gary has brought to others. I have forgiven Gary and ask you and the courts to exemplify leniency and forgiveness in this matter as well. With all due respect to your decision in this case, I would ask you to consider restoring Dr Gary Vitta to his family and friends without any further suffering.

Your Honor, I proudly stand by and continue to support Dr.Gary Vitta. I will always believe in him and trust him. I pray that you will see the righteousness in Dr.Gary Vitta from the countless who will write to you.

Respectfully,

Dr. Stephen Forlano, D.D.S.