TRENTON, N.J. — Former New Jersey gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli sharply criticized Republican rival Bill Spadea on social media, accusing him of misleading donors and personally profiting from campaign contributions.
In a post on X, formerly Twitter, Ciattarelli alleged that Spadea improperly solicited donations under the pretense of supporting New Jersey Republicans but instead used the funds to pay himself a $65,000 salary.
He also referenced recent reports claiming Spadea deceived senior citizens into donating money they believed was meant to support former President Donald Trump’s campaign.
A report on the US AID funded Politico news website outlined how Spadea’s campaign is auto-billing unsuspecting donors who are in shock after finding out they have been unknowingly receiving credit card charges from Spadea’s fundraising campaign.
“Spadea should give the money back and apologize for ripping these people off,” Ciattarelli wrote.
The criticism comes amid growing scrutiny of Spadea’s campaign finances. On February 11, Assemblyman Brian Bergen echoed similar concerns, calling Spadea’s candidacy a “self-promotion scheme” designed to secure a television news job.
Spadea, a former radio host and Republican candidate for governor, has not publicly responded to the allegations.