Baraka’s lack of disclosure

Newark Mayor Ras Baraka, a candidate for governor in 2025, is in trouble with ELEC. Again!

It’s pretty amazing that the mayor of New Jersey’s biggest city ran his easy-peasy 2022 reelection campaign without bothering to disclose basically any of his campaign finances. But it’s even more mind-boggling when you take into account that he had just the previous year paid a big fine to ELEC for reporting problems related to his first campaign for mayor.

These alleged offenses appear worse than the last ones. To this day, Baraka hasn’t filed the vast majority of campaign finance disclosures that were required for his campaign. Neither has his joint candidate committee that funded his council running mates. Taken together, according to ELEC, this is around $1.5 million in campaign spending that went unaccounted for, though usually there’s at least some duplication, as money transferred between these accounts is counted twice. (The little that Baraka’s campaign did disclose of its election spending came over a year late.)

“This is about filing necessary paperwork on time regarding our municipal races and absolutely needs to be done. We have a firm handling this, and I communicated to them that this was unacceptable and needs to be taken care of as soon a humanly possible,” Baraka said in a statement. “I believe deeply in government transparency, and I am confident this will be done and that every dollar will be accounted for and reported.”

I’ll take some responsibility for not looking at Baraka’s campaign accounts during his 2022 campaign. I just wasn’t covering the race. But now that he’s running for governor, he’s going to face a lot more scrutiny.

While these are just allegations, it’s hard to see how they’re false. You can go look yourself and see what Baraka’s campaign filed, or didn’t file. The public, including the press and Baraka’s opponents or critics, has a right to see how a campaign is funded. And while Baraka says he’s committed to transparency, outright failing to disclose campaign finances is a strange way of demonstrating it.

Sidenote: You’ve read lots of critical coverage of the Elections Transparency Act here. One was its reduction of the statute of limitations for ELEC to prosecute campaign finance violations from 10 years to two, which looked like an obvious way for the big Democratic committees to get out of some big pending ELEC fines. But this complaint demonstrates ELEC is moving faster than it used to.

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QUOTE OF THE DAY: “As to Camden County, Rep. Kim will not be running on the line. If Rep. Kim sought bracketing and a shared slogan, he would be associating with the Camden County Democratic Committee and its candidates, who are adverse parties to him in this active litigation before Your Honor. Bracketing with a legal adversary would not be appropriate, and would be confusing to voters. He has selected ‘New Jersey Democratic Team’ as his slogan for Camden County and submitted all necessary paperwork.” — Andy Kim’s lawyers in a legal brief filed Wednesday.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY — Kimelle Ash, Jeanette Hoffman Henne, Reuben Katz, Shlomo Schorr, Adrienne Supino

WHERE’S MURPHY? — Media: Participating in an 11 a.m. panel discussion on “America’s Hot Growth States” sponsored by The Volcker Alliance and Penn Institute for Urban Research. . Register here to see it

WHAT TRENTON MADE


TIME FOR LESS TRAFFIC IN NYC — The MTA formally approved new tolls for drivers coming into Manhattan’s central business district south of 60th Street. The 11-1 vote on Wednesday was as anticlimactic as it is historic. The future of the tolling program is being challenged in court and remains uncertain.

Following decades of debate and years of planning, congestion pricing — daytime tolls of $15 for many cars and more for trucks — is meant to attack traffic and pollution in the city and raise billions to invest in the region’s bus and subway system.

But there are five federal lawsuits trying to undo the day’s accomplishment. Federal judges in New Jersey and New York are expected to hear arguments in those cases and rule on them before mid-June, when the MTA hopes to start charging tolls.

Ironically, the lawsuits, including one brought by New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy, allege the tolls will increase local air pollution in some neighborhoods as trucks clog certain roads to avoid tolls."This is far from over and we will continue to fight this blatant cash grab,” Murphy said in a statement.

The MTA expects air pollution to decline overall. The tolling plan also still needs perfunctory approval from the Biden administration. — Ry Rivard

THAT SHOULD DO IT — Gov. Phil Murphy on Wednesday said he supports a cease-fire in Gaza, joining a growing list of political leaders backing an end to Israel’s attacks on Gaza since being attacked by Hamas in October.

It came two days after the United States allowed a United Nations resolution calling for a cease-fire to pass, drawing retaliation from Israel. Until now, Murphy has, like many Democrats, expressed ardent support for Israel. But that support is cracking as the Israel-Gaza war heads toward its sixth month and more than 30,000 Palestinians have been killed, while others starve and suffer.

Murphy noted that New Jersey has one of the country’s largest Palestinian-American populations and some families have lost loved ones in the war.

“In that spirit, today, I am adding my voice in support of the Biden Administration’s efforts to secure an immediate and sustained ceasefire by all parties that includes the release of the remaining hostages being held by Hamas. Such an agreement will allow desperately needed humanitarian aid – food, water, medical supplies, and more – to flow into Gaza, saving potentially thousands of lives,” Murphy said in a statement. — Dustin Racioppi

—“Prescription-free contraceptives still months away from New Jersey pharmacies”

—“Facing increased demand, can NJ’s complex system of food aid keep up?”

—Ciattarelli: “Trenton’s addiction to spending on the backs of NJ taxpayers has to end”

BIDEN TIME


AND SHE WOULD’VE GOTTEN AWAY WITH IT TOO, IF IT WEREN’T FOR YOU MEDDLING KIMS — NJ first lady Tammy Murphy after rough Senate primary: I’d do it again, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: New Jersey first lady Tammy Murphy said Wednesday she would run for office again, even after a bruising Senate primary campaign that she abruptly ended on Sunday … I would absolutely do it again,” she told reporters, the first time she’s spoken publicly since dropping out of the race. “I didn’t wake up any single day of my life and say, ‘I want to run for office.’ It wasn’t that. I was literally asked by people who are on the ground.” Barring any surprise departures, there are no imminent opportunities for Murphy to run for federal office and she did not say what she might run for in the future … The first lady said her path to winning the primary “was crystal clear,” but that it would be a bitter fight — reiterating what she said in her social media announcement that she was dropping out of the race. “The question was, would I be divisive? Would I sink into a swamp and start making personal attacks? And the answer is no, I will not do that. I don’t think that’s what our world wants,” Murphy said, at one point tearing up as she spoke about the race.

THEY BLOCKED THE DOORS. NOW NO ONE WANTS TO COME IN — Kim won’t run on county line in Camden, Cumberland counties, by POLITICO’s Daniel Han: Rep. Andy Kim will not run on “the line” in two South Jersey counties in his Democratic primary Senate bid, his attorneys said in legal filings Wednesday. Kim will run on the so-called county line in 17 of the 19 counties in the state that use the ballot design where county party-backed candidates are placed in a single row or column. But he will not appear on the line in Camden County or on the county party slate in Cumberland County, citing “disarray” and a lack of communication from the Democratic Party there … Attorneys for Kim said that he would not accept the county line in Camden since the Camden County Democratic party intervened in Kim’s lawsuit. That suit against the line names 19 county clerks in the state as defendants, and Camden County Democrats are the only political party in the state that intervened in defense of the line … Kim would have received the county line in Camden County if he wanted it. “I believe Mr. Kim asked for the line in Camden County, and it would be granted to him if he so asked and signs the bracketing form,” Camden County Democrats’ attorney Bill Tambussi said during a case management call Tuesday, according to court transcripts.

—“In Senate race shake-up, frustration with establishment politics”

CHRISTIE IS IN THE POCKET OF BIG BROTHER LABEL MAKER — “Chris Christie turns down No Labels presidential bid after discussions,” by The Washington Post’s Michael Schererr and Josh Dawsey: “Former New Jersey governor Chris Christie has decided against running as the No Labels candidate for president after spending time and money gaming out the prospects of a centrist third-party bid against President Biden and former president Donald Trump. The decision leaves the group with few remaining high-profile options for candidates, despite widespread public concern over the two major-party contenders. ‘I appreciate the encouragement I’ve gotten to pursue a third-party candidacy,’ Christie said in a statement to The Washington Post on Wednesday. ‘While I believe this is a conversation that needs to be had with the American people, I also believe that if there is not a pathway to win and if my candidacy in any way, shape or form would help Donald Trump become president again, then it is not the way forward.’ Christie and his team spent the last several weeks investigating the possibility of joining a No Labels bid, as leaders of No Labels amped up their courtship of him to become a candidate.”

R.I.P. — Joe Lieberman, 2000 vice presidential nominee, dies at 82

LOCAL


PROFESSIONAL COURTESY — “Paterson Police union leaders, charged cops’ lawyers take aim at Passaic County prosecutor,” by The Paterson Press’ Joe Malinconico: “Police union leaders and defense lawyers condemned the Passaic County Prosecutor’s Office on Tuesday for arresting three Paterson cops and charging them with misconduct in a domestic violence case involving two NYPD captains. The alleged attacker, a male New York police captain, was allowed to drive away from the scene of the December 2022 incident in Paterson after the alleged victim, a female NYPD captain, who was bleeding from her face, declined medical attention and reportedly told the cops who responded to the scene she did not know how she was injured. The prosecutor’s critics argued the actions of the accused officers should have been the subject of an Internal Affairs investigation for possible departmental discipline, such as retraining, and not the basis for criminal charges that could put the cops in prison for years.”

THE WOMAN WITH THE ORANGE ARM — “Judge finds Orange ballot draw was illegal,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “A ballot draw for non-partisan municipal elections in Orange will get a do-over [Thursday] after a Superior Court Judge found allegations that City Clerk Joyce Lanier rigged the draw to be credible and in violation of state law. Quantavia Hilbert, a city councilwoman running for mayor, challenged the March 22 draw after allegations that the dimensions of a slip of paper with the incumbent’s name, Mayor Dwayne Warren, didn’t match other candidates. … It was also alleged that ‘while the slips of paper appear to have been taken from a pre-perforated sheet of paper to ensure the same perfectly rectangular size, the slip of paper containing Warren’s name appears to have been cut at an angle on the top left corner, which would give it a physically distinguishing characteristic noticeable at the touch of the deputy city clerk.’” (Here’s what the slips of paper looked like)

DEVINE INTERVENTION — “He has a history of fraud allegations. Now he wants to be mayor,” by NJ Advance Media’s Karin Price Mueller: “His website boasts his business expertise. It promotes how his private sector experience and ideas will ‘overcome government neglect,’ declaring he’s a hometown boy from Washington Township in Gloucester County. … William O’Hanlon wants to be mayor. But questions about his past, his relationship with some controversial figures in New Jersey politics and new allegations of ducking payments for campaign-related services appear to paint a curious picture. Further, local Democratic officials say they are now challenging his petition to run, alleging signature irregularities and doubt about his residency. O’Hanlon, 59, was named in a 13-count federal indictment last April for wire fraud, tax evasion and other charges related to an alleged timeshare marketing scam. The criminal charges came less than a year after state Attorney General Matthew Platkin won a $10 million default judgment in a civil case against O’Hanlon and his company in May 2022. … Two New Jersey businesspeople and a controversial political operative [James Devine] — himself under criminal indictment related to alleged election fraud from a different campaign — claim O’Hanlon hired them for campaign work. They say O’Hanlon is reneging on the payments.”

A BATTLE ROYALE WITH CHEESE — “Hayden to sue fellow Sussex County commissioners, others over censure,” by The New Jersey Herald’s Bruce A. Scruton: “Sussex County Commissioner William Hayden has filed a notice that he intends to sue fellow commissioners, state legislators and even several citizens over their ‘organized nature of the effort to force him from office, from his home, from his job, and from Sussex County.’ Hayden … alleges in the suit the defendants had the intent of ‘slandering, libeling, harassing, distressing, embarrassing, annoying, alarming, threatening and preventing him from engaging in his elected position and have cause (sic) problems in his personal life.’ … Among the complaints are of ‘stolen valor,’ claims that he has falsely bragged of being a Navy SEAL and even claimed veterans exemption on his state income tax return. … He also accused his fellow board members of censuring him when he was absent from that meeting. However, board members said that Hayden was in fact present before the meeting but left after learning of censure motion and finishing his McDonald’s order.”

THE GOING OF THE ANDLS — “Andl will step down as Burlington Democratic chairman,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Burlington County Democratic Chairman Joseph Andl will not seek re-election to the post he’s held for fourteen years, There is speculation that Matt Riggins, the CEO of Riggins Oil, and the chairman of the Burlington County Bridge Commission, will replace Andl. His departure comes six years after Democrats finally seized control of county government after a longtime domination by the Republicans, and amid allegations that Andl has been weak and mistake-prone.”

THE INCREDIBLE, HERETICAL EGG — “Glen Rock councilwoman’s social media post raises ire among Christians,” by TAPInto’s Rebecca Greene: “Locals are calling for the resignation of Councilwoman Paula Gilligan after an Instagram post that some believed mocked the Christian holiday of Easter. Gilligan posted the following on Instagram: ‘Easter eggs are aborted chicken babies that are painted in drag for small children to worship.’ … Several follow-up posts on other social media, including Facebook, call for the councilwoman to apologize and resign … ’It has come to my attention that there are constituents in Glen Rock that have concerns with a meme on my personal Instagram story. The meme takes aim at the absurdity of ‘personhood’ laws.’”

—“Free ‘old school’ phone is huge hit at [Summit] library, even if some need help using it”

—“[Garwood and Red Bank] ban restaurants from offering plastic cutlery, condiments”

—“Atlantic City mayor announces tax cuts, raises for some employees”

—“You can’t block moms on maternity leave from coaching school sports, N.J. officials tell [Cinnaminson] district”

—“Fair Lawn picks new mayor and council member, breaking ground for inclusion’

EVERYTHING ELSE


MEGA MASTROS — “One-off Mega Millions ticket sold in NJ wins $1.13 billion, state’s largest-ever jackpot,” by NBC 4’s Jennifer Millman: “As the saying goes, anything can happen in New Jersey. Someone in the Garden State overcame the odds Tuesday night and won the $1.13 billion Mega Millions jackpot, becoming the game’s first big winner of 2024 and smashing a winless streak that dates back to December. … The ticket was purchased at ShopRite Liquor on Route 66 in Neptune, Monmouth County.”

—“N.J. ShopRite that sold $1.13B Mega Millions ticket to donate its $30K bonus to charity”