Donald DiFrancesco, former president of the state Senate of New Jersey who also served as governor from 2001 to 2002, allegedly used his clout as chairman of Newark, N.J.-based University Hospital to obtain a low-show job for his friend, according to NJ.com.
Mr. DiFrancesco recommended the hospital hire his friend Jill Cooperman as his personal assistant in 2014 with a starting salary of $94,000. Her title rose to senior staff attorney, assistant general counsel and secretary of the hospital's foundation between January 2014 and April 2016. Along with Ms. Cooperman's title, her salary also rose, eventually hitting $125,000.
A whistleblower complaint argues Ms. Cooperman's job responsibilities were vague, and she was often not expected to show up to the office. An outside report by Porzio Bromberg & Newman in response to the allegations seemed to confirm them, NJ.com reports.
"It is clear that even Ms. Cooperman herself is unclear on to whom she presently reports, her exact title and what her responsibilities are. Often absent from the office, that she often leaves work early or in the middle of the day, and that her whereabouts are often unclear or unknown by her colleagues," the report reads, according to NJ.com.
Soon after the report was completed, Ms. Cooperman left the hospital, and the organization clarified its reporting practices. Mr. DiFrancesco acknowledged Ms. Cooperman was his friend but said their relationship was not romantic.