A truly bizarre crime took place in 2018 in Holmdel Township, New Jersey. Since the beginning of the year, students and staff had been finding piles of human feces every day not far from the football field and running track at Holmdel High School. It was assumed that these were probably left by a student who wanted to make a statement against the establishment. But the identity of the super shitter turned out to be a minor sensation. The mysterious pooper was 43-year-old school superintendent Thomas W. Tramaglini from Aberdeen Township. No one would have thought that a respected community member and superintendent of Kenilworth Schools could be the culprit. Police officer Jonathan C. Martin, who worked as a school resource officer at Holmdel High School, was responsible for unmasking the super pooper. After numerous complaints from students and teachers, he had installed a surveillance camera to catch the perpetrator in the act. On May 1, 2018, at 5:30 a.m., he discovered fresh excrement under the bleachers and confronted a runner: none other than high-ranking education official Thomas Tramaglini. The 43-year-old superintendent, who was a passionate marathon runner and trained daily, was immediately arrested for indecent behavior, littering, and public defecation. According to the police report, school staff had notified the police because they found human feces near the running track every day. This sparked a media avalanche that showered Tramaglini with unflattering nicknames such as “Super Shitter” and “Shitty Superintendent.” This coverage ultimately led Tramaglini to take paid leave and later submit his resignation. Tramaglini, who had an annual salary of just under $147,502, subsequently filed a lawsuit against the local police. He sought $1 million in damages for the publication of his police photo, which he claimed had destroyed his career and his life. In a hearing in September 2019, Tramaglini’s complaint was dismissed and he was not awarded $1 million in damages. On October 24, 2018, Tamaglini had already pleaded guilty and confessed to defecating near the sports field once, which earned him a $500 fine and additional court costs of $33. His lawyer, Matthew Adams, explained that Tramaglini suffers from what is known as “runner’s diarrhea.” During intense physical activity, in this case running, loose stools are caused. Although Tramaglini claimed he had no choice but to relieve himself under the stands, court documents stated that portable toilets were located in the immediate vicinity. The consequences for Tramaglini were severe. In addition to losing his job, the negative press led to his family and children being harassed. His lawsuit against the police, filed in federal court, was ultimately dismissed. “The worst thing is that my children are suffering,” Tramaglini said. “Every time they google their names, this story will come up.” His defense continues to argue that the way the information and photos were published did not comply with legal requirements and caused him severe emotional distress. While Tramaglini’s fate remains uncertain, one thing is certain: his case has shaken the community of Holmdel and will go down in history as one of the most bizarre scandals ever.
The Super Shitter
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