CD2 Action: Richter Comes With His First Endorsements

David Richter

It looks like the endorsement battles have begun in CD2. For weeks we’ve been getting press releases from congressional candidate Brian Fitzherbert announcing endorsements, about one each week. Today, congressional candidate David Richter came with three endorsements.

Richter’s campaign announced Waterford Mayor Bill Richardson, Hammonton Councilman Joe Giralo and Somers Point Councilman James Toto have endorsed his candidacy. Read the press release here.

A third candidate in the race, Bob Patterson, has yet to come with an endorsement. Rumored candidate Seth Grossman said on Saturday’s radio show he is still a rumored candidate. Also, I sent an email to, “new Brian,” Brian Glackin this morning asking if he is in the race because after we broke the news that he was considering getting into the race, New Jersey Globe reported Glackin plans to make a final decision right after Labor Day.

Note: While Bob has endorsed Brian Fitzherbert for next year’s CD2 primary, Steve is completely neutral and making no endorsement.

OPINION: Charges Against Hamilton Mayor Are Garbage

Kelly Yaede (Source: Hamilton Twp website)

By now observers of New Jersey politics are likely aware that Hamilton Township Mayor Kelly Yaede has been criminally charged for releasing the expunged police record of her primary election opponent. Read here, here or here.

I’ve never met Yaede, never talked with her, wouldn’t know her if I tripped over her. In fact, I don’t even know how to pronounce her last name – I asked someone earlier today and already forgot the answer. That’s how much I care.

What I do care about are politicos who file charges against other folks involved in politics over expunged criminal/police records. And, I do know something about releasing expunged police records. I didn’t know they were expunged and the guy who had me (and my clients) charged never bothered to prove the expungement(s). Eventually, the case was dismissed due to insufficient evidence.

What I learned was the law in New Jersey is clear, one has to “knowingly” release expunged records to be “guilty” of anything.

As I understand it, Yaede obtained the police/criminal records through an OPRA request. If that is indeed the case there is no way she could know the records were expunged, because any reasonable person would assume they wouldn’t be given the records if they were expunged. Not guilty!

Furthermore, since I do have plenty of experience with the issue of releasing expunged criminal records (I’ve released them in more than just this state) I know the courts tend to side with the releaser of the information. In fact, right here in New Jersey, the State Supreme Court in G.D. v. BERNARD KENNY and THE HUDSON COUNTY DEMOCRATIC ORGANIZATION, INC. was clear that expungement “does not extinguish the truth.” From the case:

The issue before us arises in the realm of political discourse, where speech is often harsh and caustic, but where the constitutional guarantee of free expression is given great latitude.   Although our expungement statute relieves a prior offender of some civil disabilities, it does not extinguish the truth.

The moral to the story is simple: if you want to run for office and have ever been in trouble with the law just assume, even if expunged, the information is getting out. And, it should get out because those who wish to hold office are held to a higher standard – and they should be. Don’t hide anything from the voters, they have a right to know.

PRESS RELEASE: “Business As Usual” In Camden County

Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino is keping the pressure on the Camco Democrats and the Arthur Barclay situation. His press release follows:

HADDON HEIGHTS – Camden County Republican Chairman Rich Ambrosino’s immediate response after reading a report that former Assemblyman Arthur Barclay met with George Norcross was simply, “Just wow!”

“What’s wrong with this guy that he goes on Facebook and posts a photo of himself with George Norcross and, at the time, the Assistant Chief of the Camden County Police Department and captions the photo with ‘Business as usual,’” Rich Ambrosino said. “He had to know that after resigning from the assembly in disgrace that photo with ‘business as usual’ sends a really bad message.”

Ambrosino continued, “Frankly, I don’t know if Barclay calling it “business as usual’ or the fact George Norcross referred to him as a ‘mentor to many children in the City of Camden’ is worse. Nowhere else in New Jersey would a guy who admitted to punching his girlfriend be called a ‘mentor’ to anyone.”

“To make the claim that Barclay ‘promptly resigned’ from the Assembly is laughable. Perhaps with all the stress of fighting with the Governor, Mr. Norcross forgot there was nothing prompt about it.” Ambrosino explained, “It took 11 days from arrest to resignation. And, even then, the claim was that Barclay resigned for ‘health reasons.’ Apparently, Barclay’s health has greatly improved given the fact he went from being employed by the county as a supervisor in the Department of Events and Community Outreach to a new position as a confidential assistant in the Division of Senior and Disabled Services.”

“After Barclay resigned from the Assembly the county spokesman said the arrest would be investigated as a personnel matter.” Ambrosino said, “I think it is time for someone to explain how that investigation led to Arthur Barclay being moved into a new job in county government and a pay raise. Was it simply business as usual?”