By Matt Friedman

Presented by Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey

Good Monday morning!

It looks like the Essex County ticket is settled following state Sen. Richard Codey’s retirement announcement. In an arrangement ironed out in the backrooms, presumably to be ratified at the end of the month by a room full of of the 27th District’s Democratic committee members, Assemblymember John McKeon will get the party nomination for Codey’s seat, while Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill will run for the Assembly seat his wife had won the nomination for, and Livingston Councilmember Rosaura Bagolie will seek the Assembly seat McKeon has long held.

I have something to report this morning that relates to this. If you’ve followed New Jersey politics for the last few years, you’ll recall the huge fight between Gill and Democratic operative Julie Roginsky during Gov. Phil Murphy’s first campaign. In public, the fight centered largely around Roginsky’s allegations of misogyny by Gill and others on the campaign, which Gill denied and the campaign characterized as a power struggle.

But bubbling just beneath that fight was something else. Roginsky accused Gill and Murphy campaign aide Adam Alonso of leveraging their positions on the campaign for their private consulting businesses. This spilled out in public with internal 2017 emails the Murphy campaign released to counter Roginsky’s allegations.

It appears federal prosecutors may have been paying attention to those emails. Because weeks later, in February 2020, my source for this article got a federal federal grand jury subpoena seeking emails, correspondence and other documents related to Gill, Alonso, their businesses as well as a communications and lobbying firm.

It’s unlikely any charges will come from this inquiry, since the subpoena was from 2020, involving allegations from 2017 — though I did hear of federal authorities interviewing someone about Alonso and Gill earlier this year. The federal statute of limitations on most crimes is five years.

But it adds a new twist to the 27th District Democratic wrangling. Read more about it here.

TIPS? FEEDBACK? Email me at [email protected].

QUOTE OF THE DAY: “Let me be clear, no one speaks for me other than me.  My decision is based on what I believe is in the best interests of our community and my family.” — 27th District Democratic Assembly nominee Alixon Collazos-Gill on dropping out of the race to be replaced by her husband.

HAPPY BIRTHDAY —  Joan Voss, Barbara Plumeri

WHERE’S MURPHY? — No public schedule.

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Horizon has been building healthy communities across New Jersey for 90 years. Last year, we partnered with 255 community organizations across the state to tackle food insecurity, address opioid abuse, and expand mental health access to NJ residents who need it most. New Jersey isn’t just our home, it’s who we are and all we do. Horizon is here for you.

TRANS STUDENTS — “Judge blocks N.J. schools’ sharply debated policy to notify parents about trans students,” by NJ Advance Media’s Brent Johnson: “A New Jersey judge on Friday has agreed to at least temporarily block three Monmouth County school districts from enforcing controversial new policies requiring parents be notified when students ask for transgender or nonbinary accommodations. Judge David F. Bauman granted a request by the state for a preliminary injunction against the policies until the court case is resolved — the latest development in a matter that has sparked sharp debate across the Garden State in recent months. In June, the Middletown Township, Marlboro Township, and Manalapan-Englishtown Regional boards of education adopted or amended policies requiring staff to notify parents when students seek to change their names, be called by new pronouns, or request other accommodations related to gender. State Attorney General Matthew Platkin responded by suing the districts, saying the policies violate state discrimination laws and put gender non-conforming students at risk.”

THE PEOPLE HAVE SPOKEN. TWO OR THREE OF THEM, ANYWAY — “Livingston councilwoman will seek open Assembly seat,” by New Jersey Globe’s David Wildstein: “Dr. Rosaura Bagolie, a Livingston councilwoman born in the Dominican Republic, has emerged as the leading candidate for the Democratic nomination for State Assembly in the 27th district, the New Jersey Globe has confirmed. If Democratic county committee members approve her selection, Bagolie will join a slate that includes John McKeon (D-West Orange), an eleven-term assemblyman, for State Senate, and Essex County Commissioner Brendan Gill (D-Montclair) for Assembly … The hectic, week-long game of political musical chairs leaves the Democratic ticket as it began: white Irish American men for Senate and Assembly, and a Latina Assembly candidate in a district that is 22% Hispanic.”

—“Collazos-Gill ends bid for state Assembly, says decision was hers” 

TIKTOK JUDGE EMPLOYS THE TECHNOLOGICALLY INEPT BOOMER DEFENSE — “NJ Superior Court judge says he did not know his 'inappropriate' TikToks were public,” by The Record’s Marsha A. Stoltz: “On Friday, Judge Gary N. Wilcox issued a 21-page verified answer to a five-page complaint filed against him by the Advisory Committee on Judicial Conduct on July 1. The complaint by Disciplinary Counsel Maureen Bauman charged Wilcox with violating three judicial conduct canons by posting some 40 videos of himself under an assumed name on TikTok, and lip-syncing questionable song lyrics in questionable attire and/or surroundings. … While Wilcox concedes his behavior was questionable and ‘inappropriate,’ he contends the whole affair could have been avoided if someone had contacted him when he allegedly was first recognized on TikTok in March 2021. ‘Respondent admits to utilizing the platform, but does not consider himself an expert in its use and in customizing an account,’ Wilcox states in the document. ‘He did not know the significance of what 'public' meant in TikTok's posting context.’ ‘Respondent admits to utilizing the platform, but does not consider himself an expert in its use and in customizing an account,’ Wilcox states in the document. ‘He did not know the significance of what 'public' meant in TikTok's posting context.’”

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CARTOON BREAK — “Gov. Murphy and the Democrats would like to give you a coupon,” by Drew Sheneman

—‘Businesses can’t profit from credit card surcharges, must tell customers, under new N.J. law” 

—Snowflack: “As campaign season begins, Democrats have their issue… Again” 

—“Underage tobacco sales common in NJ, critics blame lax enforcement” 

—“Effort to lower BOE voting age from 18 to 16 kicks off with rally at Jersey City City Hall”

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

—Gottheimer: “Gottheimer: N.Y.’s congestion tax will take a toll on our health as well as our wallets” 

ESSEX RUNS ON DURKIN — “Republican sues over ‘statistical impossibility’ of Democrats’ winning streak in ballot drawings,” by New Jersey Monitor’s Dana DiFilippo: “On Monday, the Essex County clerk held a drawing to see which political party would get the preferential first line on the ballot for the Nov. 7 general election. Such drawings happen all over the state around this time and usually generate little hubbub. But this time, the Republicans won the coveted Line A in Essex County — for the first time in 17 years and on the same day a Republican state Senate candidate sued County Clerk Chris J. Durkin for ‘nefarious conduct’ the candidate said ensured Democrats’ statistically improbable 17-year winning streak. Such a win might delight other Republicans. But Michael D. Byrne, the GOP candidate vying for retiring Democratic Sen. Dick Codey’s seat, remained just as suspicious after Monday’s drawing as he was when he filed his lawsuit in Superior Court earlier in the day. Friday, he filed a statement with the court to renew his concerns, saying he believes the ballot drawing was manipulated and that the drawing ‘lacked transparency, fairness, and honesty just as the previous 18 drawings did.’”

BAILEY CREAMED — “Dunston still wins after recount of Atlantic City's ward 2 primary election,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Michelle Brunetti Post: “Friday evening recount of the Democratic primary election results for City Council in the city’s Ward 2 found three new votes but left the winner the same. Incumbent LaToya Dunston still came out ahead with 303 votes to challenger Viana Bailey’s 297, said Board of Elections Chair Lynn Caterson. That’s a difference of six votes, compared to a difference of three after the Election Day count. … Mayor Marty Small Sr., a supporter of Bailey, said after the recount that Bailey will challenge the results and ask for a new election. ‘We are going to challenge the election,” Small said.’ ‘Not to tip any strategy, but the incumbent got 84 votes (to Bailey’s 179) at the polls and ... probably half were assisted by Callaway.’ Bailey filed a lawsuit for a recount and a challenge to the election June 23 that alleged that Craig Callaway, of Atlantic City, assisted 19 voters within the 2nd ward with filling out election forms. The lawsuit charged that more than three of those did not qualify for such assistance.”

NORTH WILDWOOD — “This N.J. town erected barriers to hold back the sea. A public fight erupted,” by The Washington Post’s Brady Dennis: “From atop the local lifeguard headquarters, Mayor Patrick Rosenello looks out over the shrinking shoreline of his hometown. To the north, past the kaleidoscope of umbrellas that dot the beach, he can see the massive bulkheads the city has installed to hold back the encroaching sea — the same ones at the heart of an ongoing fight with the state, which has sued North Wildwood and fined it more than $8.5 million for that and other work it says was unauthorized, misguided and destructive. Rosenello can also glimpse the signs he posted along beach entrances this summer, bearing photos of New Jersey Gov. Phil Murphy (D) and the state’s top environmental officer, calling them ‘directly responsible’ for failing to fix the erosion problems here. … The peculiar, acrimonious fight playing out along the Jersey Shore is, in one sense, an outlier — a rare case in which state and municipal officials have launched legal battles and remained at loggerheads over how best to safeguard a threatened stretch of shoreline. At the same time, the standoff between North Wildwood and New Jersey — a state experts say has been proactive on long-term planning and coastal adaptation — hints at the sort of conflicts likely to unfold more often in the age of climate change.”

WILDES’WOOD — “Englewood mayor vetoes affordable housing plan, saying it has 'alienated our citizenry',” by The Record’s Megan Burrow: “The City Council will reconsider a plan it approved last week to provide affordable housing through overlay zones after Mayor Michael Wildes vetoed the plan. The council will hold a virtual meeting on Tuesday to discuss the issue and vote on whether to override the mayor's veto. The plan, which was developed by an outside consultant, uses overlay zones to encourage construction of affordable housing in Englewood. … The plan, which could add as many as 4,000 units of housing across the city’s four wards, with 20% of the units set aside for low- and moderate-income housing, was developed through negotiations with the Fair Share Housing Center.”

THIRD FINGER, FIRST AMENDMENT — “Westfield Police respond to YouTube video claiming officer lied, gave false ticket,” by TAPIntoWestfield’s Jackie Lieberman: ”Westfield Police Chief Christopher Battiloro said the department is investigating after a new YouTube video came out that appears to show a rookie Westfield police officer giving a driver a false ticket in retaliation for the driver flipping the officer the middle finger. The video was posted to YouTube Wednesday on LackLuster, a channel dedicated to keeping public officials accountable. It uses the driver’s dash camera video from Aug. 6, as well as police video. In the video, the officer, Ayad Taha, tells the driver, Nate (whose last name was removed) that he was going 48 miles per hour in a 35 mile per hour zone, though the video footage appears to show otherwise. He ultimately gives the driver a ticket for ‘careless driving.’”

—“Millburn mayor drops re-election bid” 

A message from Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey:

Horizon Blue Cross Blue Shield of New Jersey has been New Jersey’s health insurer for 90 years offering quality, affordable health plans. We make health care simple by having every hospital in the state in our network. And, we have a long history of helping address the most pressing health issues our members - and our state - face daily.

We partner with local organizations to help them make a difference in the health of our communities. Last year, we supported 255 community-based organizations to address the physical, mental, and social needs of our members - such as food insecurity, mental health, safe housing, and scholarships to support the next generation of doctors and dentists who come from historically underserved communities.

At Horizon, we’re working to create a healthier New Jersey for everyone. We are Horizon. We are New Jersey.

 
OFFSHORE WIND CRITICS TO ACCEPT THIS NEWS, CARRY ON WITH REASONED DEBATE — “Humpback whale likely killed after 2 vessel strikes, first responders say,” by NJ Advance Media’s Steven Rodas: “The young humpback whale found dead at the Jersey Shore earlier this month was likely killed after hitting a ship or boat, the second known vessel strike to injure the animal since 2022, first responders said. … New Jersey Department of Environmental Protection officials and marine experts noted humpback whales — a species thriving on our coast — are likely heading closer to shore to feed on smaller fish, known to be migrating in different areas because of changing ocean temperatures due to climate change. The whale, which washed up Aug. 12, was feeding on fish just before its death, findings from preliminary exams confirmed.”

THE BLANKEST SIGN — “Cape's parkway rest stop is named for a beloved novelist. But there is no sign of it on site,” by The Press of Atlantic City’s Bill Barlow: “While Frank Sinatra swings just outside Atlantic City, and James Gandolfini, Jon Bon Jovi and Judy Blume are already at the party, the promised Toni Morrison rest area on the Garden State Parkway remains unnamed and nondescript. While the name of the celebrated novelist appears on maps and plans, it does not appear on the building or the exit signs at what remains the Ocean View rest stop, the last or first rest stop on the parkway, depending on which way you're heading. A spokesperson for the New Jersey Turnpike Authority did not respond to emails or calls seeking more information on whether signs or additional improvements were still planned for the Cape May County stop.”

DEFERRED PROSECUTION AGREEMENTS ALIVE AND WELL 15 YEAR AFTER CHRISTIE CONTROVERSY — “N.J. medical company will pay $95K in settlement after alleged kickbacks to physicians,” by NJ Advance Media’s Jackie Roman: “A Morris County sonography company has entered into a deferred prosecution agreement to resolve criminal charges alleging it paid physicians kickbacks to persuade them to refer patients to use their services and will pay $95,000 to settle a related civil lawsuit brought by a doctor, the U.S. Attorney’s Office announced. From January 2015 through December 2018, H&D Sonography LLC of Parsippany agreed to make inflated rent payments to physicians in exchange for referring patients for diagnostic testing to H&D, the office said. … After H&D began making payments, physicians would refer patients to H&D for diagnostic tests, which were then billed to Medicare, according to court documents. … As part of the three-year deferred prosecution agreement, H&D must demonstrate good conduct to avoid future criminal conviction. The sonography company also agreed to pay $95,000 to settle civil allegations.”

THE EASTER BUNNY REPRESENTATION IS WHAT EARNED HIM SUCH PROMINENCE — “Jersey City attorney charged with bilking $2 million from clients now facing more trouble; detention ordered,” by The Jersey Journal’s Ron Zeitlinger: “A prominent Jersey City attorney charged earlier this year with bilking a client out of $2 million is now accused of forging his attorney’s signature, has been ordered locked up until his trial and his license has been suspended. James Lisa’s bail was revoked and he was ordered detained through prosecution, but he remains free after being granted a 30-day stay last week. That appeared to be the latest in a bizarre chain of events that started with the 68-year-old — who has represented accused killers, violent predators and even the ‘Newport Easter bunny’ over the years — being arrested in January.”

CROWD MADE UP MAINLY OF NJ POLITICIANS WHO RAN OVER FROM THEIR BEACH HOUSES —  “Fans swarmed a new jersey bar after Taylor Swift was spotted at Jack Antonoff and Margaret Qualley's rehearsal dinner,” by Teen Vogue’s Ashleigh Carter: “It was absolute chaos outside of superstar producer Jack Antonoff and actor Margaret Qualley's rehearsal dinner after diehard fans caught wind of Taylor Swift being in attendance. On Friday night, fans gathered in droves outside of Black Whale Bar & Fish House in Long Beach Island, New Jersey, where the star-studded rehearsal dinner was taking place. Video footage from the Jersey Shore area restaurant showed hoards of people gathering outside hoping to get a glimpse of Swift.”

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