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HANDLIN PROPOSES STRONGER PENALTIES FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO PROFIT FROM ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE

BILL WOULD INCREASE MAXIMUM ETHICS FINES TO $10,000 – AS  RECOMMENDED BY RECENT COMPTROLLER REPORT

Assemblywoman Amy H. Handlin introduced legislation yesterday imposing larger  fines against unethical local public officials after a recent State Comptroller  investigation showed current penalties did not deter a local official from  improperly using his government position and gain substantial profit in a land  deal.

 

            “It’s no longer a shock when public officials act in their own interests  instead of the public good. With penalties set so low, it’s more surprising that  we don’t see officials improperly profiting from public service more  frequently,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “To an unscrupulous official with $1  million at stake, a $500 penalty is just a sunken cost that would barely budge  the bottom line.”

 

            A recent Comptroller’s report determined a Chesterfield Township committeeman improperly used his  government position in facilitating a private land deal that brought him  substantial profit. The report recommended increasing maximum fines for  violations of the Local Government Ethics Law from $500 to $10,000. Handlin’s  proposal would implement those increased penalties.

 

            “I agree with Comptroller Matt Boxer’s call to bring ethics penalties for  local officials in line with those for state employees, especially now that New  Jersey is undergoing a massive rebuilding effort mixing planning decisions and  tens of billions of federal funding,” Handlin, R-Monmouth, said. “Rebuilding our  state after Hurricane Sandy is too important to be tainted by corruption. We  need a loud message and strong deterrents against self-serving politicians who  violate the public’s trust to earn a buck.”

 

Comptroller’s press release:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_press_release_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

 

Comptroller’s  report:

http://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_report_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

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Posted: February 8th, 2013 | Author: | Filed under: Amy Handlin, ethics, NJ State Legislature, Press Release | Tags: , , , | 5 Comments »

5 Comments on “HANDLIN PROPOSES STRONGER PENALTIES FOR LOCAL OFFICIALS WHO PROFIT FROM ABUSE OF PUBLIC OFFICE”

  1. Alice said at 1:33 pm on February 8th, 2013:

    She must be up for re-election ….she always comes out when she sees her … oh..

  2. Barbara said at 3:05 pm on February 9th, 2013:

    Or was this to distract us from her co-sponsoring bill #1327 asking for more “gun free zones” which does nothing to protect children in schools, but only creates more, already strict gun laws for law abiding citizens? Always watch what the other “Hand-lin” is doing.

  3. Every two years said at 3:31 pm on February 9th, 2013:

    Out comes more self- righteousness. Sigh, will never be dethroned, either.

  4. Barbara said at 4:38 pm on February 9th, 2013:

    @Every two years….don’t be so sure about the “dethroning”

  5. Jim Sage said at 5:10 pm on February 9th, 2013:

    I agree with Barbara. Don’t be sure about the “dethroning.” I recently e-mailed my “new redistricted” representative regarding abuse by certain officials, and her office would not or could not provide details–I have to call by phone to get that information.

    If I can’t get the information via e-mail—then my question must be very conflicting.

    There will be no conflict on my part.