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Just Passing Through?

When I posted the Belmar Democratic Committee’s 2015 filings a week ago I was surprised to see only one contribution, a $2500 donation from the Scutari for Senate committee:

Screen Shot 2015-07-29 at 4.22.37 AMWho?

Nick Scutari is a Democratic state senator from Union County.

Why?

Well that’s a good question.  It’s not like the guy just likes to spread his campaign cash around.  According to his R-3 filings, in 2015 Scutari’s committee only made three donations to other political committees.

scutari linden

Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 8.35.14 PM

Scutari lives in Linden so I can understand that he wants to support someone in that town’s mayoral race (and it was only $250) but what about the other two?  Why the Belmar Dems and why the Monmouth County Dems?  And why only them?

Well right around the time he donated $1500 to the county Dems he got a $1500 check from guess who?………LIUNA!!

Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 8.38.33 PM

And right around the time he donated $2500 to the Belmar Dems he got a $5000 donation from…………………LIUNA!

Screen Shot 2015-08-04 at 8.34.00 PM

I guess the $2500 extra was for his trouble.

Is it legal?

From Belmar’s municipal ordinances :

9-1   DEFINITIONS.

…………………………………………

Belmar campaign contribution shall mean any contribution, whether in the form of money, free service or pledge, including without limitation any in-kind contributions, or purchases of tickets, advertisements or the like, directly or indirectly, to any campaign committee or election fund of any candidate for, or holder of any elected office of the Borough, or to any municipal or party committee or political club or organization within the Borough; the term “directly or indirectly” as used herein shall further mean and include any campaign contributions made through intermediaries or third-parties for the purpose of concealing the source of the contribution(s).

………………………………………….

Pass-through campaign contributions shall mean any contribution, whether in the form of money, free service or pledge, including without limitation any in-kind contributions, or purchases of tickets, advertisements or the like, directly or indirectly, to any campaign committee or election fund of any candidate for, or holder of any elected office of the Borough, or to any municipal or party committee or political club or organization within the Borough, that is received from the election fund or other campaign account of any elected official or candidate for any office other than Mayor or Council of the Borough, or from any County political organization, County campaign committee or political action committee or fund within or without the County of Monmouth.

 

9-5   GENERAL INELIGIBILITY OF ANY ELECTED OFFICIAL WHO RECEIVES ANY PASS-THROUGH CAMPAIGN CONTRIBUTIONS TO PARTICIPATE OR VOTE ON CERTAIN CATEGORIES OF MATTERS.

  1. Any elected official who has received either as Belmar campaign contributions or other elected office campaign contributions during any of the three (3) preceding calendar years, including during years preceding his or her election, any pass-through campaign contributions shall be ineligible to participate in, or cast a vote on any of the following categories of matters for the remainder of that calendar year and for a period of three (3) additional calendar years following that calendar year:
  2. The award of any agreement to purchase goods or services, and shall be further barred from voting on the grant of change orders with respect to publicly bid contracts or agreements; with respect to each and every vote as to which the Mayor or member of the Council is ineligible by virtue of this provision, the reasons for the abstention shall be set forth on the record, recorded in the minutes, and noted on the resolution awarding the contract or agreement for the sale of goods and services;
  3. Any development matter, and any appointment to the Planning Board or Board of Adjustment of the Borough of Belmar;
  4. Any matter relating to or involving any Belmar alcoholic beverage licensee or any other alcoholic beverage licensee.

(Ord. No. 2004-14 § 2; Ord. No. 2005-19 § III)

 

I report.  You decide.

12 Comments

  1. OLD MAN wrote:

    I decided to take two more aspirins right now

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 9:12 am | Permalink
  2. Guest wrote:

    Dave, You do amazing work,Belmar taxpayers are better informed because of you and this blog.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:10 am | Permalink
  3. admin wrote:

    I get help. Thanks help.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:24 am | Permalink
  4. vox populi wrote:

    we need the kind of help you get. going to Belmar website is like going through a video maze. don’t have the right key you have to call the mayor. whatever happened to user friendly. the legislature didn’t want siesta to be more cumbersome. just another wasteful enterprise

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:39 am | Permalink
  5. Hey morons wrote:

    LIUNA could have donated directly to the Belmar Democrats….They have taken labor donations in the past. One has nothing to do with the other. The pay to play only applies to professionals.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:53 am | Permalink
  6. admin wrote:

    Maybe they don’t want us to know. Why do you think Scutari gave them the money? BTW, it says right in the ordinance, no pass through donations.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:58 am | Permalink
  7. Hey morons wrote:

    LIUNA could have donated directly to Belmar Dem Committee. One has nothing to do with the other. You guys are dirtbags that make crap up.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 10:58 am | Permalink
  8. nervous nellie wrote:

    Professional as in professed wage earners enrichment procurers. touch a nerve?

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 11:56 am | Permalink
  9. belmarguy wrote:

    @Admin: That Nick Scutari guy is the senator who is behind the movement of legalizing marijuana… Check out NJUMR.org, you’ll see…

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 12:24 pm | Permalink
  10. admin wrote:

    Well I guess the guy’s not all bad.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 12:34 pm | Permalink
  11. elemental wrote:

    Note on the Schedule D(3) disbursements form that Belmar Democratic Committee is at 112 Inlet Terrace. Huh? Right to Maggie’s house.

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 3:53 pm | Permalink
  12. OLD MAN wrote:

    #6 Not made up……….Follow the dots……………..

    Wednesday, August 5, 2015 at 4:38 pm | Permalink

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