JACKSON TOWNSHIP, NJ – An ethics violation has been filed with the Attorney General’s Office against three Jackson Township Councilmen last week.
The Office of the Attorney General said on Friday that the details of the investigation would not be released to the public until 30-day investigation has been completed.
The state refused an OPRA request for the complaint regarding a complaint against Councilmen Marty Flemming, Nino Borrelli, and Steven Chisolm.
Allegedly, the complaint focuses on meetings held by the three men in private to discuss township business without notifying the public. Under New Jersey state law, elected bodies may not hold a meeting in private to discuss township business under the state’s political corruption guidelines set forth in the Sunshine Laws.
The Sunshine Law requires public bodies to provide the public with adequate advance notice of all its meetings, The right to attend its meetings, and reasonable comprehensive minutes of all meetings. The law also requires that any meeting of a majority of board members must be held in public.
Additionally, a claim of improper asset reporting was filed against at least one of the council members, claiming they did not personally disclose all real estate properties they owned to the state, as required by law.
This is another political corruption safety measure to ensure political officials disclose all of their investments and real estate assets to keep them honest when voting on bills and ordinances.
All three men are Republicans. Jackson Township Republican Club President Mordechai Burnstein said he was shocked to learn of the allegations, adding, “At this time, there’s no room for any behind-the-scenes impropriety in our town, and our club is taking these allegations seriously at this time.”
Burnstein would not comment on the details of the alleged complaint but said if, after the 30-day investigation by the state, if any unethical or illegal acts had taken place, the club would discuss the matter at that time.
Flemming has recently sold his Jackson home and announced last week that he would not finish out his term in office. He did not say when he would resign from office.
Borrelli and Chisolm have not issued any public statements regarding the investigation.
Mayor Michael Reina said he could not comment on the matter and is not privy to the details of the investigation.