By: Richard L. Smith
A new, 41-page lawsuit filed in Union County Superior Court alleges Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro retaliated against Officer Matthew O’Holla after O’Holla reported sexual harassment by a civilian employee.
According to information released by O’Holla and his attorney, Christopher J. D’Alessandro, Esq., the officer first received anonymous, explicit messages and later in-person advances from a police department staffer.
The filing quotes one unsolicited text as saying: “Would you let another guy perform oral sex on you? … we can be discreet.”
The complaint says the employee admitted sending the messages and received only a brief suspension.
The lawsuit alleges the response from leadership then turned on O’Holla.
According to the filing, Battiloro removed O’Holla from the Traffic Safety Bureau, restricted his duties, blocked side work, and used the harasser’s complaints to justify negative evaluations.
The suit quotes the Chief as telling O’Holla during a dispute over a performance review that the officer “deserves this.”
It also claims Battiloro contacted O’Holla’s U.S. Coast Guard Reserve superiors to question his drill attendance, a move O’Holla’s attorney says undermined the officer’s integrity and worsened a hostile work environment.
According to the 41-page lawsuit, these actions culminated in O’Holla’s constructive resignation in August 2025. 
He seeks damages for retaliation, emotional distress, and lost career opportunities.
These are at this stage. Westfield Township and Chief Battiloro will have the opportunity to respond in court.