Port St. Lucie police chief candidate backs out, city sends two other finalists rejection letters

Faiella admits she called council members and the deputy mayor in Franklin, New Jersey, where Novick is the township manager. She  says she asked about Novick's communication skills.

"I didn't do anything wrong. If I had to do it all over again, I would do the same thing," Faiella said.

The mayor said she wanted to find out more information so she could make a fair recommendation to Port St. Lucie city manager Greg Oravec. It's Oravec who ultimately chooses the next chief. 

Novick says the mayor was out to get him. He says his co-workers were taken aback by her negative attitude over the phone.