South Orange CFO Charged with DWI

The West Orange and South Orange chief financial officer was arrested and charged with driving while intoxicated in Maplewood last week, according to the Maplewood Police Department.  

John Gross was reportedly found in his Ford Mustang at 12:30 a.m. Thursday morning on a grassy median at the intersection Springfield Avenue and Tuscan Road in Maplewood.

Gross told Maplewood police that he “swerved to avoid a dog," according to Sgt. Christopher Black of the MPD. 

Gross failed a field sobriety test. He also gave a breathalyzer reading higher than the legal limit, according to reports. 

He was briefly placed under arrest and charged with a DWI.

Gross began as West Orange’s CFO in Oct. 2011. His salary is $130,000 a year. Prior that that, Gross was Village Administrator in South Orange. 

He continues to serve as the part-time CFO for the Township of South Orange Village since Oct. 2011, with a salary of $4,500 a month. 

Attempts to reach Gross by phone and email were not returned. 

Gross is believed to have returned to work on Monday. 

West Orange Public Information Officer Jessica Glicker said Mayor Robert Parisi has no comment at this time. South Orange Village President Alex Torpey likewise no comment at this time.