Manco's owner now will lose post

OCEAN CITY, N.J. - The co-owner of a chain of landmark Jersey Shore pizza places will not be reappointed to a local tourism board while he and his wife face federal tax charges.

The Ocean City City Council pulled a resolution from its Thursday night meeting that would have reappointed Charles Bangle, co-owner of the Manco & Manco pizzerias, to its Tourist Development Commission, the Atlantic City Press reported.

Bangle and his wife face a 30-count indictment that alleges they failed to report $980,000 in income from 2007 until 2011.

Reaction had been mixed among council members to Mayor Jay Gillian's decision to reappoint Bangle, who has pizzerias on the boardwalk in Ocean City and in Somers Point. Several city officials said Bangle has done admirable work, but Councilman Pete Guinosso objected.

"I'm happy they've realized there's a real issue here that needs to be addressed and they've addressed it," said Guinosso, who had described the reappointment as "crazy." "It was the right thing to do."

Gillian's office defended the choice, saying Bangle was entitled to his day in court, but changed course on Thursday.

"Following discussions between the administration and Charles Bangle over the past two days, it was agreed that Mr. Bangle would not be reappointed to a position on the Ocean City Tourist Development Commission at this time," the city said in a statement authorized by Gillian.