Residents use Facebook.com to express opinions on Mike Savary

Out of court settlement for Fred Cook?

Fred Cook feels he was wrongfully terminated in retaliation for answering law enforcement's questions regarding Mike Savary's embezzlement scandal.

We're receiving tips that this will be "settled out of court".

Councilmen Craig Dunwell and Mike Savary are described by residents as "known bullies" who "harass anyone getting in their way."

Alpha is eager to discover how deep the corruption goes, and who is involved.

Popular news articles on Fred Cook's firing:

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/warren-county/express-times/index.ssf/2013/07/former_alpha_parks_worker_file.html

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2013/07/former_alpha_parks_employee_su.html

Popular news articles on Mike Savary's embezzlement:

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2013/06/alpha_borough_councilman_micha.html

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2013/06/alpha_residents_call_for_counc.html

UPDATED - Alpha needs strong leaders

Alpha's corrupt council members (Carol Schwar, Mike Schwar, Lou Cartabona, Mike Savary and Craig Dunwell) complain to our town's mayor and attorney that they dislike public opinion of their actions and don't want citizens discussing any of it online.

Imagine a town where the mayor and attorney advise corrupt council to behave and mind their actions, to better represent Alpha so that public opinion becomes positive.

Alpha needs strong leaders who are sensitive to our taxpayers' needs, not to bullies.

UPDATED - 7/18/13

Alpha's Honorable Mayor, Ed Hanics, cannot legally discipline corrupt council members for behavior he doesn't witness.

We've received countless tips that Municipal Attorney, Christopher Troxell, "was a threat to Craig Dunwell", and that "Dunwell told numerous Alpha residents he hoped to replace Troxell with a friend."

Learn more about Alpha councilman Craig S. Dunwell, then vote against him in November

Craig Dunwell hides behind multiple user accounts to spread his contempt for local officials. Dunwell has a history of underhanded dealings and deception.

In reading his personal opinions and studying his bullying techniques, one may learn more about the reasons why he is a danger to Alpha, NJ.

http://connect.nj.com/user/thisdayisours/index.html

http://www.nj.com/forums/alpha/

Craig Dunwell is "thisdayisours"

http://connect.lehighvalleylive.com/user/thisdayisours/index.html

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/forums/phillipsburg/

Craig Dunwell is "thisdayisours" and Lou Cartabona is "caribou39"

Did Chris Pfefferle intend to stay on Alpha council indefinitely?

A local blogger is suggesting that Chris Pfefferle may have intended to remain on council indefinitely after having moved away from Alpha, NJ. Perhaps this decision to continue as a council member was in order to assist Mike Savary in some way.



Photo of Alpha councilmen Mike Savary and Chris Pfefferle at the home of councilman Craig Dunwell on 3/19/13
 

Once Pfefferle moved from Alpha he should not have remained on council.

 

Save Alpha announces Chris Pfefferle plans to move away from Alpha, NJ

 

Save Alpha and Alpha NJ, Live tweet regarding Pfefferle's move from Alpha
 

Residents felt the police contract vote was rushed to include Pfefferle.

It is believed that Chris Pfefferle's vote helped out council buddy, Craig Dunwell, who wanted Phillipsburg Police Department to patrol Alpha instead of the Pohatcong Township Police Department.

 

 

Alpha NJ, Live and Save Alpha tweets regarding police contract vote

 

Residents noticed that information about the police contract vote was not being shared with the public, which infuriated residents who flooded a council meeting to voice their opinions. The Express Times covered this story, expressing Alpha's concerns about the contract negotiations and hopes to keep Pohatcong Township patrolling Alpha as they had provided excellent service for many years.

 

Councilman Chris Pfefferle lied regarding his intentions. He had promised Alpha that there would be no contract switch, just further negotiations to ensure a lower offer. However the Pohatcong Township Police Department was already prepared to continue patrolling for the lowest possible amount. 

 

Save Alpha was able to obtain a screen shot of a text message sharing the details of Chris Pfefferle's move to a new location.  Pfefferle then announced his move, resigned and was replaced by Mike Schwar.

If Chris Pfefferle is comfortable to lie about such critical issues, what else was he hiding? Was he helping Savary in some way?

 

The Express Times: 

 

October 01, 2011 Alpha wants to renegotiate police contract with Pohatcong Township

 

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2011/10/alpha_wants_to_renegotiate_pol.html

 

 

December 11, 2011 Pohatcong Township sends Alpha Borough new police contract proposal

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2011/12/pohatcong_township_sends_alpha.html

January 04, 2012 Alpha officials again fail to approve new police contract with Pohatcong Township

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/01/alpha_officials_again_fail_to.html

  

May 23, 2012 Alpha residents favor staying with Pohatcong Township police

 

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/05/alpha_residents_favor_staying.html

August 20, 2012 Alpha council plans vote on Phillipsburg police contract they have yet to see

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/08/alpha_officials_to_vote_on_phi.html

August 21, 2012  Alpha selects Phillipsburg for police coverage

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/08/alpha_select_phillipsburg_for.html

 

December 04, 2012 Alpha Councilman Chris Pfefferle announces resignation

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/12/alpha_councilman_chris_pfeffer.html

 

Evidence of Savary & Dunwell's crimes?

In June of 2011 Alpha councilman Mike Savary drove his white truck to Craig Dunwell's mother's driveway to hand a small, white box to councilman Craig Dunwell. Save Alpha posted photos of the event on Flickr accounts.

Shortly after posting the odd photos Craig Dunwell's aunt, Diane R. Hoffman/Diane Dunwell Hoffman, bragged online that she was able to have the Flickr accounts closed by claiming to Flickr that Save Alpha was posting photos of missing children and child porn. The online public threads regarding Hoffman's unethical tampering and harassment of Save Alpha was shared between Hoffman and one of her daughters, Jamiann Regensburger.

In light of the investigation against Mike Savary for embezzlement and fraud it seems important to share evidence of the White Box Hand Off once again.

Save Alpha ensures all photos remain public for the use of law enforcement. It is very possible that photos, descriptions of events and time/date stamps collected by Save Alpha since May of 2011 will come in handy to help prove crimes committed by Craig Dunwell and Mike Savary.

Thank you for your continued support, Alpha. Keep spreading the word about the corruption we are experiencing and it will be resolved.

Troll Shaming

When posting on the Internet you expose yourself to everyone - including stupid, nasty and sick people who are not afraid to let their darkest and most disturbing personality traits show under the cloak of anonymity.

Post anyway.

Councilman Craig Dunwell stalks Crouse family 11/16/12

A Phillipsburg police officer questioned Councilman Craig Dunwell on the evening of 11/16/12 regarding his continued harassment of his neighbors.

"Craig Dunwell pulled up to my stone wall in Joan Dunwell's car and looked in my window while twisting a lollypop in his mouth. Then he made an illegal u-turn on Sage Street." - Mrs. Heidi Crouse

Phillipsburg's finest responds to call for assistance at Councilman Craig Dunwell's mother's home

 

The officer stands in the cold, waiting for Mr. Dunwell to answer the door

 

After questioning Craig Dunwell the officer spoke with the Crouse family to ask who lives with Mr. Dunwell. Mrs. Heidi Crouse provided the name of Mr. Dunwell's wife, Luda Nazarenko.

 

On 11/15/12 Councilman Craig Dunwell and Councilman Mike Savary harassed the Crouse family, using lollypops to make obscene gestures.

 

http://failandotherstories.blogspot.com/2012/11/savary-and-dunwell-harass-crouse-family.html

 

On 11/12/12 Councilman Craig Dunwell stalked another neighboring family, using Sage alley to sit by the family's mailbox, possibly looking in their bedroom window.

 

http://save-alpha.blogspot.com/2012/11/craig-dunwell-continues-to-harass-his.html

 

On 9/27/12 Councilman Craig Dunwell trespassed on the family's property to litter, and attempted to touch his neighbor, who was running for town council. Councilman Mike Savary was present during the attack.

 

http://dunwellwitnessintimidation.blogspot.com/2012/10/the-dunwell-bullies-continue-witness.html

Savary and Dunwell harass Crouse family and possibly abuse town equipment, 11/15/12





Savary brings Dunwell home and eventually they go inside



After their private visit Dunwell and Savary come outside and get in truck





Savary and Dunwell back out and drive to the Crouse residence

 



Savary and Dunwell lurk at the Crouse family's window, waiting to be seen

On 11/15/12 at 10:35 AM Councilmen Mike Savary and Craig Dunwell drove to the Crouse family residence and sat together in Savary's truck. They stared at the Crouse family window even though the blinds were drawn.

 

Frustrated by the lack of reaction from the homeowners, Savary beeped the truck's horn several times.

 

Heidi Crouse's mother looked out the blinds and saw Savary and Dunwell eating lollypops, watching her. The couple licked their lollypops in a strange way, as if to demonstrate a perverted act.

 

Satisfied that their harassment had been witnessed, they drove off.

 

Moments later at 10:40 residents saw Councilmen Savary and Dunwell at the Alpha Municipal Complex, still eating their lollypops.

 

It is said that Councilman Craig Dunwell spends more time at the Alpha Municipal Complex than any other council member.

 

Before Dunwell's annual trip to Ukraine he was at the Complex at midnight for unknown reasons. Dunwell complained that he found the Complex door unlocked during his visit, bringing attention to his unusual activities.

 

Why is Councilman Dunwell spending so much time at the Alpha Municipal Complex? Does Dunwell use the official Alpha Borough computers for personal internet surfing?

 

It is believed that Dunwell has an inexpensive dial-up connection that does not allow for photos to load on his computer at home.

 

Save Alpha is investigating IP hits from Verizon internet users viewing blog posts about Craig Dunwell's  possibly illegal and unethical actions.

 

At 10:44 on 11/15/12 a Save Alpha blog manager received several blog hits from IP Address: 71.172.196.174, Computer ID: e65ab9387ef01d29caf40e994767321c, Browser: Mozilla Firefox 16.0, Operating System: Windows XP, Screen Resolution: 1024x768.

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Lou Cartabona - Crazy Conspiracy Theorist?

Warren County openly outs Lou Cartabona's irrationality in the comments section of the following news article: 

 

http://www.lehighvalleylive.com/phillipsburg/index.ssf/2012/09/phillipsburg_gadfly_proposes_o.html

 

Here are some screen shots of Cartabona using the Lehighvalleylive.com forum:

 

 

 

 

 

 

 

Controversial Councilman, Craig Dunwell, gets out of yet another court date

Craig Dunwell has decided to leave the country. He was allowed to postpone his court date only once so he provided a plane ticket to Ukraine to the Clinton Township court clerk in order to buy him some additional time. 

 

Craig Stanley Dunwell has done everything in his power to delay NJ VS Dunwell. The Clinton Township Municipal Court judge clearly stated that each and every charge against Dunwell has probable cause, so he surely isn't looking forward to the outcome.

 

New Jersey VS Councilman Craig Dunwell will be held at Clinton Township Municipal Court on October 3rd, unless Dunwell does not return to the U.S. He must be terrified of being found guilty for pending trespassing and harassment charges.

Video Evidence of Dunwell Family Threatening & Harassing Alpha, NJ Resident

The State of NJ VS Councilman Craig S. Dunwell

2C:33 4A - Disorderly Persons Offense/Harassment

 

Councilman Craig S. Dunwell has been harassing his neighbors, the Crouse family, since he moved into his mother's home in 2009. Dunwell has vandalized their property and endangered the Crouse family as well as Alpha residents and their children attending the Crouse family private daycare countless times over the past few years. 

Video of Alpha, NJ's Councilman Craig Stanley Dunwell vandalizing property belonging to the Crouse family, trespassing to cut the Crouse family's hedges, then hitting Heidi Crouse with the cut branches and laughing

Heidi Crouse: "Excuse me, you can't come here."

Video of Alpha, NJ's Councilman Craig Stanley Dunwell and family harassing and threatening Heidi Crouse

Dunwell family laughing and yelling at Heidi Crouse as Craig Dunwell's mother was attempting to hit Heidi Crouse with her car while Heidi stood in the street taping the damage to her property: "Run her over...(laughter)...Hit the...cow!"

The State of NJ VS Councilman Craig S. Dunwell - Harassment

2C:33 4A - Disorderly Persons Offense/Harassment

Councilman Craig S. Dunwell has been harassing his neighbors, the Crouse family, since he moved into his mother's home in 2009. Dunwell has vandalized their property and endangered the Crouse family as well as Alpha residents and their children attending the Crouse family private daycare countless times over the past few years.

Craig Dunwell has not acted alone in targeting the Crouse family and their business. He has had help from Councilman Mike Savary and the Savary family, reporter David Foster, Mike Stasak, and Dunwell's family.

Dunwell's case was originally scheduled to appear in Alpha Borough Municipal Court, but he claimed there was a conflict of interest. Court dates have been scheduled at numerous locations, all of which have also been changed due to conflict of interest and/or Dunwell's constant harassment of the courts. Most recently Dunwell's pending harassment case has been moved to Hackettstown.

Transferred Court Dates:

On 12/2/11 the hearing was transferred to Greenwich Municipal Court.

On 1/23/12 the hearing was transferred to the Phillipsburg Municipal Court.

On 2/9/12 the hearing was transferred to White Twp Municipal Court.

On 2/24/12 the hearing was transferred to Knowlton Municipal Court.

On 3/9/12 the hearing was transferred to Hackettstown Municipal Court.

Craig Dunwell's original focus on the Crouse family seemed to be related to parking:

In 2009 Dunwell wanted to park in front of the Crouse home but was warned that he was trespassing. Dunwell also attempted to park at 1156 but was warned that he was disrupting business parking for the Crouse family daycare.

Dunwell has use of his (mother's) driveway which has been seen to comfortably hold three full sized vehicles, as well as a very large stretch of Seventh Avenue which is on the same side as his residence, and is rarely used for parking by other neighbors.

(On each occasion when Dunwell parks/dumps cars at 1156  and 1167 there has been ample parking available at his own residence or along his residence on his side of the street.)

Angry that he could not have his way, Dunwell attempted to have the Crouse family's daycare investigated, hoping it would be closed.

In 2011 his aunt, Diane R. Hoffman, assisted him in harassing the family. She posted negative statements regarding the Crouse family daycare online on her public blogs and Facebooks and Twitters. Her daughters, Jamiann Regensburger and Jennifer Odell, also assisted their cousin, Craig Dunwell, in harassing the Crouses. If you would like to view hard copies of screen shots demonstrating Craig Dunwell's family harassing the Crouse family online, please contact Heidi Crouse at the number listed at the bottom of this post, she has countless copies showing the Dunwells' obvious hatred.

Brief Recent Timeline of Councilman Craig S. Dunwell's Unethical Behavior - Targeting the Crouse Family for Harassment:

On 6/10/11 Craig Dunwell vandalized the Crouse family's hedges by cutting them down to the roots so that the leaves would not grow back. When police arrived Dunwell was heard loudly yelling at the officer "I know why you are here and I can cut the bushes! She should get an attorney and build a fence!" Dunwell was also quoted saying that bushes belong in the woods, and he told the officer to get off his (mother's) property. Also on 6/10/11 Craig Dunwell's mother, Joan Dunwell, drove toward Heidi Crouse and almost hit Heidi Crouse with her car while Heidi was videotaping the damage to the hedges. During this time Craig Dunwell and his wife, Luda Nazarenko, were inside the residence with their windows open. Craig Dunwell is on tape yelling "Hit the fat cow" and Luda responds warning Craig that they are being taped. Heidi Crouse has this tape in her possession and would be happy to show it to anyone who may be interested.

http://failandotherstories.blogspot.com/2012/05/video-evidence-of-dunwell-family.html

On the morning of 6/25/11, during Alpha's 100th Celebration, Councilman Dunwell took numerous photos of the Crouse family's residence. After doing so Councilman Mike Savary yelled for him to get in his car and they sped off.  On the afternoon of 6/25/11, during Alpha's 100th Celebration, Councilman Dunwell took his aunt, Diane R. Hoffman, and numerous family members, including children, to trespass on the Crouse family’s private property to take photos of their yard, vehicles and home. The Dunwell clan leaned on Tom Crouse’s truck and posed for photos in front of the family’s large front window while Heidi Crouse was seated inside. Craig Dunwell and his family were quoted saying "Smile for the camera" to Heidi Crouse as she sat inside her home. A police report for harassment was filed at 7pm that night.

On 7-13-11 Craig Dunwell was spotted spraying weed killer on the roots of the Crouse family's hedges. When he was caught he began to spray his own (mother's) lawn instead. Each spot where he sprayed the substance the grass turned brown. Dunwell killed all of the grass in the side yard and later spread mulch over it to hide the damage. The mulch can still be seen on his (mother's) property today.

On 7-14-11 Councilman Mike Savary and Craig Dunwell illegally blocked traffic on Seventh Avenue while using a huge tractor to deliver a small amount of mulch to Dunwell's side yard to hide the dead lawn. Both Councilmen yelled profanity at the Crouse family and daycare parents during this incident.

http://defeatdunwell.blogspot.com/2011/11/on-7-14-11-councilmen-craig-dunwell-and.html

In July of 2011 Dunwell began hounding our local police station in an attempt to collect records of countless police reports filed against him by local residents in 2010 and 2011. Dunwell is aware that he will be attending court for vandalizing the Crouse family’s property on numerous occasions and clearly is afraid to face the consequences of his illegal actions.

On 8/17/11 Craig Dunwell had Mike Stasak over and Stasak parked at the Crouse family's house, blocking their entrance during daycare business hours. When Heidi Crouse asked him to move his vehicle and equipment from her property he told her to "F-CK OFF!"

On the morning of 8/19/11 Councilman Craig Dunwell was seen by numerous witnesses who said he was searching for something. These local residents closely watched Dunwell while he was looking for something or someone. He paced the streets and alleys on foot and also franticly drove his car, clearly combing the neighborhood where he resides. This went on until approximately 1:30 pm when 3 roosters were dumped at the neighboring Crouse residence. Dunwell then invited slanted news journalist David Foster to trespass on the neighboring private daycare storage area where Dunwell was already feeding tomatoes to the roosters he had apparently arranged to be dumped on the Crouse’s private property. The mysterious roosters were described as Japanese Silkies, show chickens featuring beautiful feathers. Dunwell and Foster were overheard discussing plans to create a news story about the Crouse family daycare being an illegal chicken farm.  Brian Wistuk, a thriving business owner who is rarely home during the week, was strangely available that day to alert Craig Dunwell that the roosters had appeared in the Crouse’s backyard storage area. Brian Wistuk’s involvement in the rooster-dumping was suspect as he alerted Dunwell of the mysterious roosters instead of speaking to his immediate neighbors, the Crouse family, or the local authorities. Wistuk’s young daughter even provided a strange statement to Foster: "I was helping my dad and I heard a car door and I went to check," resident Chelsea Wistuk said. "It was a silver car with Pennsylvania license plates. The person drove away and I saw the roosters in the road." At 1:29 pm that same day Craig Dunwell’s  Pennsylvania resident aunt, Diane R. Hoffman, posted on her public blog: ‎"My Mother Bought A Chicken and it wouldn't lay an egg, so she poured hot water up and down it's leg, oh the little Chickie squawked, and the little Chickie begged, and the little Chickie laid a hardboiled egg.”  Foster’s story was posted online the following day, clearly altered from the original intention to write of an illegal farm.  Foster quoted Dunwell stating: "I grabbed cherry tomatoes from my garden to keep them on her (Crouse's) side of the property line." Dunwell did not contact authorities regarding the roosters. Instead it was David Foster who Dunwell invited to the Crouse’s property where he so comfortable trespassed even after being asked to leave. Authorities ended Dunwell’s insane attack on his neighbors, the Crouse family, by taking him for a ride, after which Dunwell was visibly enraged. Please note - all events of that day are posted/time stamped on Facebook and Twitter.

In September of 2011 Councilman Craig S. Dunwell's aunt, Diane R. Hoffman, used her public blog to describe her nephew as being "a neighbor who just wants the neighborhood to look more presentable, and not that of the Hatfield and McCoy clan."

On 10-30-11 Craig Dunwell vandalized the Crouse family hedges again, for the 5th or 6th time.

On the morning of 11/3/11 Councilman Craig Dunwell stood in the street while speaking with a neighbor, and publicly ranted about the Pohatcong Police. He screamed that the police force should follow his instructions and tell the Crouse family to "shut their mouths" regarding his illegal and unethical behavior since 2010.  Dunwell also openly plotted to file false reports against the Crouse family's dog and to cut down their hedges again.

On 2/8/12 Councilmen Savary and Dunwell sat in front of the Crouse residence, pointing at Heidi Crouse and watching her.

http://defeatdunwell.blogspot.com/2012/02/2812-councilman-craig-s-dunwell.html

On 3/2/12 Councilman Mike Savary swerved at Heidi Crouse's vehicle while it was parked in front of her house on her property. Savary was seen adjusting his rear view mirror to watch Heidi Crouse as he raced off.

On 3-14-12 Heidi Crouse's daughter, Karissia Crouse, was almost hit by Craig Dunwell while he was driving Pete Savary's vehicle which had been parked on the lawn of 1156 7th Avenue for several weeks. Pete Savary is Mike Savary's brother. Craig Dunwell had arranged to have the rusty old car dumped on 7th Avenue to take up taxpayers' parking spaces and to disrupt business parking for the Crouse family.

Dunwell often dumps vehicles at 1156 and police have managed to convince him to move the vehicles to his own (mother's) property in the past. Craig Dunwell openly slanders Pohat PD and is not a supporter of the police force. It is believed that Pohatcong Township PD's contract is up in the air due to Dunwell and Savary tampering with the contract's renewal.

Craig Dunwell continues to harass the Crouse family and their daycare patrons and children. For more information please call Heidi Crouse at (908) 235-1133 and Karissia Crouse at (908)-283-1029. 

The State of NJ VS Councilman Craig S. Dunwell - 2C:33 4A - Disorderly Persons Offense/Harassment

Councilman Craig S. Dunwell has been harassing his neighbors, the Crouse family, since he moved into his mother's home. Dunwell has vandalized their property and endangered the Crouse family as well as Alpha residents and their children attending the Crouse family private daycare.

Craig Dunwell has not acted alone in targeting the Crouse family and their business. He has had help from Councilman Mike Savary and the Savary family, reporter David Foster, Mike Stasak, and Dunwell's family.

Dunwell was originally scheduled to appear in Alpha Borough Municipal Court, but he claimed there was a conflict of interest. Court dates have been scheduled at numerous locations, all of which have also been changed due to conflict of interest and/or Dunwell's constant harassment of the courts. Most recently Dunwell's pending harassment case has been moved to Hackettstown, but all of Alpha is wondering what will happen next.

On 12/2/11 the hearing was transferred to Greenwich Municipal Court.

On 1/23/12 the hearing was transferred to the Phillipsburg Municipal Court.

On 2/9/12 the hearing was transferred to White Twp. Municipal Court - No image available.

On 2/24/12 the hearing was transferred to Knowlton Municipal Court.

On 3/9/12 the hearing was transferred to Hackettstown Municipal Court.

Councilman Craig S. Dunwell is scheduled to appear in court

The State of New Jersey VS Councilman Craig S. Dunwell - Hackettstown, May 9th at 9:30 - Harassment Charges

Court Date For Councilman Craig S. Dunwell of Alpha, NJ

Councilman Craig S. Dunwell is scheduled to appear in court:

The State of New Jersey vs Councilman Craig S. Dunwell - Belvidere, March 28th at 1:30 - Harassment Charges

Save Alpha (¸.•`¤ ☆

Together we can continue to fight corruption and Defeat Dunwell

Below are the guidelines that can be used for submitting a complaint to the Local Finance Board. Please keep in mind that this outline simplifies what is set forth in the statute and the regulations.

For a complete understanding of the law and the process for filing a complaint, please refer to the N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5 and N.J.A.C. 5:35-1.1 et seq. A link to the Local Government Ethics Law is provided below:

http://www.state.nj.us/dca/lgs/ethics/ethcmenu.shtml

If after reviewing the statute and regulations, you feel there has been a violation of the Local Government Ethics Law and you wish to submit a complaint, please send it to the attention of Thomas H. Neff, Chair, Local Finance Board, P.O. Box 803, Trenton, NJ 08625-0803.

GUIDELINES FOR FILING A COMPLAINT

TO THE LOCAL GOVERNMENT ETHICS LAW

N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et seq.

  

Pursuant to N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.1 et. seq., the Local Finance Board (Board) within the Division of Local Government Services, has the power to initiate, receive, hear and review complaints, hold hearings and enforce the provisions of the act and impose penalties with regard to possible violations of the Local Government Ethics Law.

Specifically, N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5 sets forth the code of ethics for local government officers or employees who fall under the jurisdiction of the Board.  If the actions of a local government officer or employee have violated any of the provisions of the ethical standards contained in N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5, a complaint may be filed against that individual and submitted in accordance with the process set forth in N.J.A.C. 5:35-1.1(a) and (b) and outlined below.

Every complaint alleging that a local government officer or employee, who is not regulated by a county or municipal code of ethics, shall be in writing and signed by the complainant and shall include the following:

·    Identify each section of the Local Government Ethics Law alleged to be violated as set forth in N.J.S.A. 40A:9-22.5;

·    State the name(s) and title(s) of each party involved in the action and against whom the complaint is filed;

·    Set forth in detail the pertinent facts surrounding each alleged violative action;

·    Indicate whether the complaint concerns the complainant in any way and what, if any, relationship the complainant has to the subject of the complaint; and

·    Indicate any other action previously taken in an attempt to resolve the issue and indicate whether the issue is the subject of pending litigation elsewhere.

Provide, if available, all supporting information for each alleged violative action.

If a complaint is submitted anonymously, the Board may review the complaint and authorize an investigation but the complainant will not be notified of the outcome of the investigation.

Note that the Board shall not process a complaint on a matter which is pending in a court of law or administrative agency of the State.