A new report says the city of Irvington wasted opioid settlement money on throwing parties, blowing through about $630,000 for two “awareness” concerts.

State Comptroller Kevin Walsh says the city spent the money without asking residents, community groups or anyone in the thick of the drug crisis.

The comptroller says Irvington steered almost $370,000 to a town employee’s businesses to secure musical talent and another $205,000 to promote the event with billboards or T-shirts.

The report calls out Mayor Tony Vauss for how the city spent the money – nearly $13,000 on trailers, $11,000 on generators and almost $4,000 on popcorn machines.

Walsh says that although the concerns were billed as “opioid awareness” events, promotional materials had no information about addiction. They only focused on the artists, the mayor and the concerts.

Vauss is fighting back against the report. The mayor says the city is suing for defamation. He says the report contains opinions, hyperbole and no facts.

“This was about bringing people together and saving lives, making sure people got the information and treatment,” Vauss wrote in a statement.

The mayor says the city did have Narcan and sent News 12 documents they say show they researched the impact of awareness concerts, including a letter of support from Rutgers Health.