Paterson suspends assistant economic development director | Paterson Times Paterson Times

Paterson suspends assistant economic development director

By Jayed Rahman
Published: July 22, 2022

osner-charles-with-sayegh

Mayor Andre Sayegh’s administration suspended the city’s assistant economic development director last week, according to officials.

Osner Charles, the assistant economic development director, was suspended with pay for five days. His suspension term ends on Friday, according to sources.

An official said Charles was suspended because of absenteeism and performance issues.

Charles declined to comment on the suspension.

Economic development director Michael Powell said he could not comment on a personnel matter.

Sources within the Economic Development Department said Powell and Charles had a falling-out that likely contributed to the suspension. Both men initially got along well, they said.

Charles (pictured, right) was hired in March 2020. He is married to Sayegh’s first law director Khalifah Shabazz-Charles.

Shabazz-Charles resigned six months before her husband was hired by the Sayegh administration.

Charles’ hiring was questioned by some officials at the time.


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