Remember when the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) was investigating Essex County Executive For Life Joe DiVincenzo's blatant misuse of campaign funds?

And remember how that investigation suddenly ground to a screeching halt, which of course the media spun as a "victory" for Joe D?

Wanna know who swept the mess under the rug?

Walter Timpone, the Democrat Steve Sweeney Chris Christie just nominated to sit on our state supreme court.

Surprise, surprise, surprise!

The long and the short of it is this. Earlier in his career, Timpone reached out to Joe D for a favor, because his nephew needed a job. Joe D found the kid a spot, as a field representative in the Essex County Citizen Service Office at $45,000 a year.

Fast forward a dozen years, and Timpone is the lone Democrat on ELEC when Joe D's alleged misuse of campaign funds comes to light. Rather than move the investigation forward, Timpone recused himself, citing that favor Joe D did for his nephew.

State law says ELEC must have at least one member from each party, so no Timpone, no investigation. Which works out nicely for Joe D, seeing as how he and Timpone are both good friends with Chris Christie.

Now you may ask yourself, why are there only 2 people sitting on ELEC, one Democrat and one Republican, when there should be 4?

Ah, you can thank Chris Christie and Steve Sweeney for that one. Christie didn't appoint a second Democrat to the commission after the previous guy died in 2011. In retaliation, Sweeney is blocking Christie's second Republican nominee, which Christie then cites as his reason for not appointing a second Democrat.

Yeah, the whole thing stinks to high heaven. Because a cynical guy like me might see Timpone's nomination as a thank-you for him helping Joe D. And a cynical guy might further notice that once Timpone is confirmed, ELEC will be effectively defanged, right before a presidential election this year, and a gubernatorial election next year in which Sweeney hopes to prevail. Not to mention that whole Bridgegate thing…

Welcome to New Jersey. Please hold your nose.
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