VINELAND — The New Jersey Civil Service Commission is ordering Vineland to immediately reinstate fired police Capt. Adam Austino, along with any outstanding back pay and benefits. A March 20 commission order completely adopts the findings of state Administrative Law Judge Catherine A. Tuohy, who presided in Austino’s appeal. Her initial decision on Feb. 5 ordered Austino’s removal on Nov. 15, 2021 to be reversed in full, and held the city liable for any “reasonable” defense legal fees attorney Katherine Hartman submits. In its decision in Austino’s case, the Civil Service Commission dismissed arguments from Vineland that Tuohy had reached an arbitrary decision. Instead, it complimented the judge for providing “eminently detailed findings and conclusions” in a decision that ran…
