HACKENSACK, N.J. — Just one day after telling the media that he was not involved with the Hackensack United for Progress slate of candidates running for office in Hackensack, disgraced ex-police chief Ken Zisa was photographed at the candidates’ official campaign kick-off party last night.

Also present at the campaign event were former mayor Jack Zisa, former City Attorney Joseph Zisa and other family members and close associates of the once powerful political clan that dominated city politics for three decades before being thrown out of office by voters in 2013.

“Ken Zisa has been caught red-handed lying about his not-so-secret involvement with the political candidates he and his family are backing,” says Mayor John Labrosse. “The Zisas are desperate to see their candidates win so they can get back to ripping off taxpayers and making millions of dollars for themselves and their associates.”

The campaign manager for the Zisa backed candidates, Caseen Gaines, also lied to the media about the family’s involvement in the Hackensack United for Progress slate that is composed of five close associates of the Zisas. Gaines told The Observer media group that he “he is unsure of where the Zisas stand” in the election.

“They’re all standing right next to him at their campaign rally,” says Mayor Labrosse.

“It is now abundantly clear despite their lies and denials the Zisas are trying to get back in power by backing these candidates,” says Deputy Mayor Kathleen Canestrino who is also running on the Labrosse Team. “It’s also clear that voters now have a choice between going back to Zisa control or continuing the progress that’s taking place under the Labrosse administration.”

About the Labrosse Team

Mayor Labrosse and his team of Deputy Mayor Canestrino, Councilman Leo Battaglia and Councilman David Sims won the 2013 municipal election, and since that time their leadership has resulted in the city’s downtown redevelopment and revitalization, adding nearly $1 billion in new real estate value to the city, and in Hackensack’s first tax rate cut in a decade. They announced their re-election campaign recently along with their running mate Council candidate Stephanie Von Rudenborg on the “Labrosse Team for Lower Taxes and Honest Government” slate in the May 9th nonpartisan election.

For any additional information please contact Philip Swibinski at 201-864-0600 or philip.swibinski@vmmi.net.