Letter: Monmouth County Election Results Are A Concern

Dear Editor,

I am concerned about the integrity of the election results in the Monmouth County Freeholder's race.

On election night, Monmouth County Clerk Claire French (R) delayed results of the Freeholder's race due to alleged technical problems, that allegedly required the voting machine cartridges to be brought back to the County Clerk's office for reading.

It is highly suspicious to see these kinds of "technical errors" occur in a hotly contested race, especially where the Republican candidates were accused of collusion with former Manalapan Mayor and now convicted felon, Andrew Lucas in a corrupt land deal that resulted in Mr. Lucas being given county funds. The reported results were extremely close, but resulted in a victory for the Republican candidates.

I am calling on the FBI to do a full investigation and audit into these questionable results to ensure there was no falsification of results in favor of Republican candidates.

Freeholder Lillian Burry (R) has been accused of serious corruption involving both the Lucas farm land deal and Brookdale Community College (where the college president is now incarcerated). It would be far from surprising if she was willing to have her party tamper with votes, to maintain power.

We cannot forget the confirmed corruption of the Monmouth County Republican Party that came to light in the Bid Rig investigations.


Eric Hafner
Toms River

LETTER: Actions speak louder than freeholders’ words

This letter appeared in the Asbury Park Press over the weekend:

In seeing campaign signs for freeholders Lillian Burry and Gary Rich, I noticed their disingenuous slogan “Proven Leaders.”

When actions were taken on the freeholder board in 2009 to establish a county ethics board for addressing residents’ complaints, Burry opposed it in favor of self-policing.
She led the pack during some of Brookdale Community College’s darkest days. Year after year, Burry rubber-stamped funding requests with no questions asked.

During the first freeholder meeting after I left office in 2012, Rich seconded a motion in which the all-Republican board unanimously passed a resolution rescinding the county’s toughened pay-to-play laws. They wasted no time weakening the rules for political campaign contributions.

When a vote was taken in 2011 to approve a sitting mayor’s recently purchased 97-acre parcel of land for a taxpayer-funded open space grant, I was the lone freeholder to vote no. In 2013, both Burry and Rich voted to allocate $1.2 million to this mayor, Andrew Lucas of Manalapan, in exchange for preserving it as a farm (after he hosted a fundraiser for their previous campaign).

Later, an investigation by federal officials resulted in a jury trial handing down an 11-count conviction of Lucas based on illegal activities in acquiring the funding for the property. This year, Burry and Rich supported a resolution stating that public officials cannot participate in this publicly funded program. Really?

The residents of Monmouth County deserve proven leaders more than self-serving platitudes. Actions speak louder than words. On Nov. 4, reject the incumbents and vote for Larry Luttrell and Joe Grillo for freeholder.

Amy A. Mallet
Former Monmouth County freeholder

APP Editorial: Freeholders bear some blame for Lucas fiasco

If you have been keeping tabs on the Andrew Lucas land deal, the Asbury Park Press published a very important editorial today, which blames Freeholder Director Lillian Burry, Deputy Freeholder Director Gary Rich and the all-Republican Freeholder Board for the land deal between Manalapan's Republican former Mayor, Andrew Lucas and Monmouth County. Last week Lucas was just found guilty on all 11 counts for illegally obtaining the property.

This is what Democratic candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder Larry Luttrell and Joe Grillo have been campaigning on for months, this editorial collaborates what they have been saying all along and is important for their campaign.  The good ol' boy network that has been running the County for years needs to be stopped and ethical behavior by those we elect needs to be reinstated.

From the APP:

Former Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas was convicted last week of falsifying tax returns and fraudulently obtaining funds to purchase a piece of property that netted him nearly $1.2 million in farmland preservation taxpayer money. 

Andrew Lucas

The convictions, for wire fraud, loan application fraud, making false statements to the Internal Revenue Service, aggravated identity theft, obstruction of a grand jury investigation and falsification could land him in jail for decades when he is sentenced in January.

While officials at the county and local level were quick to distance themselves from Lucas, the whole fiasco could have been avoided if the Monmouth County Board of Freeholders had long ago barred elected and appointed officials from participating in the farmland preservation program. In classic “closing the barn door after the horses have left” fashion, the freeholders did not get around to that until April.

The farmland preservation funding Lucas received for his 97-acre Diamond Developers at Burke Farm sparked controversy as some politicians rightly insisted he should not have applied for the money while he was a sitting officeholder in Manalapan.

After purchasing the farm, Lucas applied for and received $694,800 from the state’s Farmland Preservation Program, $277,920 from Monmouth County’s open space fund, and $185,280 from Manalapan. Under the deal, Lucas was allowed to keep the farm but gave up any right to develop 96 of its 97 acres. While Lucas faces jail, Freeholder Director Lillian G. Burry, who championed the deal from the beginning, now finds herself backpedaling at breakneck speed.

Burry said last week that the “guilty verdict against Andrew Lucas ... has nothing to do with the freeholders, the county or the farmland preservation program.” Lucas, she said, stands alone in that it was he who falsified the tax returns and fraudulently obtained funds to purchase the property.

Burry was not alone in acting as cheerleader for the deal. Manalapan Mayor Jordan Maskowitz and Committeewoman Susan Cohen also supported it from the beginning.
We are not buying Burry’s self-absolution....

Continue reading

Former Mayor Lucas Found Guilty in Land Deal; Democrats Call To Reinstate Ethics Board

Former Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas was found guilty on all 11 federal charges against him earlier today in his scheme that bilked Manalapan, Monmouth County and state residents of nearly $1.2 million of farmland preservation funds.  Lucas is now facing a long jail sentence in a federal penitentiary.

"A jury in federal court here has found former Manalapan mayor Andrew Lucas guilty of all charges in an indictment surrounding a questionable land deal that netted him nearly $1.2 million in taxpayer money.

The jury reached the verdict Thursday following a two-week trial before U.S. District Judge Freda L. Wolfson.

Lucas, 37, remains free on a $500,000 bond, pending sentencing on Jan. 20, 2015, when he could face decades in federal prison..." - Asbury Park Press, 9/18/14

It should be noted that incumbent Freeholder candidates Lillian Burry and Gary Rich voted in favor of giving Lucas nearly $278K of Monmouth County open space funds. It's because of this and other alleged improprieties by the currently all Republican Monmouth County Freeholders Board that  Democrats are calling for the reinstatement of the short-lived Monmouth County Ethics Board.

"... Democratic candidates Joe Grillo and Larry Luttrell say the ethics board is needed to prevent recent scandals like the farmland preservation land deal involving former Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas and financial improprieties by former Brookdale Community College President Peter Burnham.

“The ethics board would be looking at any concerns or ethical issues in county government. It would be a place of redress,” Grillo said. “I think the freeholders owe it to the people we serve.”

Monmouth Democrats have been relentless in trying to pin those scandals and others to their opponents, Republican freeholder incumbents Lillian Burry and Gary Rich...."            - Asbury Park Press,  9/18/14

Letter: If Guilty, Mayor Lucas Could Star In Own Reality Series

Dear Editor,

In 2006, BET (Black Entertainment Television) ran a series entitled, "Lil' Kim: Countdown to Lockdown" chronicling the last 14 days of freedom before the New Jersey based award winning female rapper entered a federal prison in Philadelphia to serve a 366 day sentence.

It has been said time and time again that politics is Hollywood for ugly people, so why should such reality TV success be limited to rap stars?

This Wednesday will mark the start of the federal criminal trial of ex-Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas who is facing multitude of serious felony fraud related charges, stemming from a controversial land deal that put $1,158,000 of taxpayer funds into Lucas' pocket.

If Mr. Lucas is found guilty, he will meet the same fate as Lil' Kim. So why not go out in style and generate some income to pay off fines and restitution?

I propose that BET produces a new series entitled "Mayor Lucas: Countdown to Lockdown" the story of one man who went from Princeton, to Politics, to Prison. He's a smart, likable guy that could help BET gain a new fan base within the Republican Party. Talk about entertainment.

Maybe if we're lucky, by the end of this sad reality show we'll see a spin-off series featuring Monmouth County Freeholder Lillian Burry. Bring popcorn, a total lack of ethics and a cash filled envelope.

Eric Hafner
Toms River

Monmouth County Freeholders Backtrack on Dirty Lucas Land Deal

For Immediate Release: 


MANALAPAN - The Monmouth County Freeholder Board has backtracked in their recent unanimous vote to exclude elected officials from New Jersey’s farmland preservation programs.

Freeholder Director Lillian Burry and her board have been harshly criticized for releasing $1.2 million in taxpayer money to Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas [R], under the semblance of an Open Space land grant. Mr. Lucas is now under an 11-count indictment because of the $1.2 million deal.

In October of 2011, Lucas hosted a fundraiser for Freeholder Lillian Burry on the very property that was awaiting funding by her and the Republican Freeholders. Freeholder Burry has since been criticized by fellow Freeholders for supporting the release of the funds, which passed on a 3-2 vote. Republican Freeholders Gary Rich and Serena DiMaso voted to release the money to Lucas, while John Curley and Thomas Arnone voted against.

Joe Grillo, candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder, stated “Freeholders Burry and Rich are doing a typical political flip-flop. Eight months ago, they voted for something that was clearly unethical. Now that our money is already gone, they admit what they did should be illegal.”

Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder Larry Luttrell stated, “By passing this resolution, Freeholder Burry admitted that she was wrong to funnel $1.2 million in taxpayer money to Lucas. We cannot let a career politician like Lillian Burry get away with this.”

Monmouth Republican Leader and Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas Arrested Today

For Immediate Release:
February 7, 2014


The following is a statement from Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal regarding news today of the 11 count indictment of former Manalapan Mayor and Republican Party Leader Andrew Lucas.

Mayor Andrew Lucas

"Today, we see yet another example of corruption from the Monmouth County Republican Party. Former Manalapan mayor Andrew Lucas is in federal custody today on an 11 count indictment for fraud, identity theft and obstruction of justice, among other charges.

The scandal involves the use of taxpayer funded programs for a land deal that funneled $1.2 Million dollars directly into the pockets of Lucas - with the help of the local and County Republican politicians. In order to receive the money, the deal was approved by the Republican controlled Monmouth County Freeholder Board.

We demand answers from Freeholder Board and especially career politician Lillian Burry, who endorsed and voted to approve the deal. Burry raised thousands of dollars at a fundraiser sponsored by Lucas on the very property that was up for consideration by the Freeholder Board.

We need change on the Freeholder Board in order to stop the pattern of corruption and taxpayer abuse.

###


Please see coverage in past few hours

http://www.app.com/article/20140207/NJNEWS14/302070102/Andrew-Lucas-Manalapan-mayor?odyssey=mod|breaking|text|Frontpage

http://www.politickernj.com/71344/monmouth-dems-react-arrest-gop-former-mayor-manalapan

http://www.tribtown.com/view/story/af91a3fd37f04c8a95dddc5c2ab209bd/NJ--Former-Mayor-Indicted

http://holmdel-hazlet.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/former-manalapan-mayor-andrew-lucas-arrested

http://www.oceancountysignal.com/2014/02/07/former-republican-mayor-of-manalapan-arrested-for-falsifying-tax-returns/

http://www.politickernj.com/71341/fbi-take-former-manalapan-mayor-custody-11-count-indictment

http://longbranch.patch.com/groups/police-and-fire/p/former-manalapan-mayor-andrew-lucas-arrested

Republican Andrew Lucas Quits Manalapan Township Committee

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Embattled former Mayor resigns after $1.2 million land deal

Manalapan Township Committeeman and former Mayor Andrew Lucas resigned yesterday - barely 70 days before the end of his term and just months after he was handed $1.2 million of taxpayers money for a controversial land deal.

While serving as mayor, Lucas applied for an Open Space grant shortly after buying 96 acres of land in Manalapan for an undisclosed amount. Manalapan Republican Committeemembers approved $1.2 million in taxpayer money for “farmland preservation” to Mayor Lucas.

The Manalapan Township Committee approved Lucas’ application in a 3-1 vote in 2011. Incumbent Republican for Township Committee Jordan Maskowitz was one of the three committeemen that voted Yes, going so far as to call the deal “a bold move by the Lucas family.”

“The Township Committee allowed this land deal to go through, then it denied several similar requests for preservation from other residents,” said Democratic candidate for Township Committee David Goldstein. “Open Space grants should be fairly distributed and not based on political favoritism.”

Earlier this year, the all-Republican Township Committee approved funding for Lucas’ land deal in a 2 to 1 vote. Jordan Maskowitz abstained from voting on the funding, which led to the approval.

“Mr. Maskowitz’s approval on the first vote and his abstention in the second vote allowed Mr. Lucas to ‘take the money and run’.” said Dr. Ayesha Chaudhary, Goldstein’s running mate along with Ryan Urgo. “If Maskowitz had the courage to oppose this deal, Mr. Lucas wouldn’t have received a $1.2 million windfall from his friends on the committee.”

“It is a sad day for Manalapan residents when one of our elected officials quits with a $1.2 million golden parachute to soften the fall - thanks to Jordan Maskowitz.” said Ryan Urgo. “Manalapan residents deserve better than this.”

Monmouth Dem Freeholder Candidates Slam GOP Board

MANALAPAN - Democratic Candidates for Monmouth County Freeholder, Brian Froelich and Larry Luttrell, slammed the Republican Freeholder Board's decision to give almost 1.2 million taxpayer dollars away to a local GOP party boss.

“Once again, the all-Republican monopoly on the Freeholder Board has exercised its power against the interests of Monmouth County residents," said Froelich. "This time, the Freeholders granted a $1.15 million-dollar payday to one of their own in the guise of 'farmland preservation.' Whether it is preservation bonuses, pension privileges, or old-fashioned patronage, this Board continues to remind us that absolute power corrupts absolutely."

"Clearly, there is an apparent conflict of interest with this land deal," added Luttrell, a former prosecutor. "This November, Monmouth County residents will have a chance to elect fair-minded watchdogs that will restrain this biased and unbalanced Freeholder Board. Shame on Freeholder Serena DiMaso for voting to give taxpayer money away to one of her political cronies. This needs to change in November.”

General election for Monmouth County Freeholder takes place Tuesday, November 5th.

Froelich For Freeholder: 'Once more unto the breech'

I would like to thank the over four hundred Democrats from every Town and District in Monmouth County who nominated me at the convention this past Saturday to run for Monmouth County Freeholder in the November election.

The monopoly control of any political body by one political party is not healthy and leads, inevitably, to corruption. The Republicans now have an unchallenged and unhealthy monopoly on the Freeholder Board. And they have tried to abuse that advantage for the benefit of their friends. A Democratic watchdog is minimally required to provide necessary sunlight and oversight on their actions.

Brian Froelich

Here are some examples. The current Lucas land deal is the latest Board scandal. But when it first came up for a Freeholder vote several years ago, the only Freeholder who voted against it was the only Democrat, Amy Mallet. If not for Amy, this sleazy deal might have slipped by without notice. Then, once Amy left the Board, the Republican monopoly voted quickly to repeal its ‘pay for play’ ethical prohibitions. And it was the Democrats that pointed out the long term misfeasance (or malfeasance) in the Republican Monmouth County Clerk’s office regarding voter ballot positioning.

The duty of the minority party is to be a watchdog on the majority.

Here are some abilities I can bring to the role of resident watchdog on the Freeholder Board.

On the current Freeholders Board we have a landscaper, a car dealer, a salesman, a real estate agent, and a lawyer. These are all fine professions and small businesses to be represented on the Board. But none of these members are educated or experienced on the accounting, finance, or management skills needed to monitor the half billion dollar enterprise which is Monmouth County.

I have a degree in finance and an advanced degree in accounting and law and I was an auditor with the largest accounting firms in the world. And I know about monitoring government agencies. I performed special audits of the Division of Youth and Family Services (DYFS) here in New Jersey and of the Board of Education in New York City. Both of those audits uncovered real problems in those agencies.

I also know about controlling large organization as well as small. I served as a controller of a subsidiary of a New York Stock Exchange company. And, besides starting my own small business, I managed multi-billion dollar businesses for American Express- one of the most well managed companies in the world.


In short, I will bring important, necessary, and missing education, experience, and management skills to the Freeholder Board. These are abilities that will help the Board and county agencies and make me a formidable watchdog for the residents of Monmouth County.

I seek your support for this important role.

Brian Froelich

Candidate for Monmouth County Freeholder

Spring Lake, NJ

Republican Party Boss Andrew Lucas is about to get a Valentine's Day Gift

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE

OLD BOYS NETWORK REPUBLICAN CONTROLLED MONMOUTH COUNTY FREEHOLDERS PREPARE TO GIVE 1.2 MILLION DOLLAR VALENTINE'S DAY GIFT FOR LOCAL REPUBLICAN POLITICIAN

February 14th, 2013

FREEHOLD - The 5-0 Republican controlled Monmouth County Freeholders will be voting on a resolution to release taxpayers funds to Manalapan Republican Party Boss and Elected Official Andrew Lucas. http://oprs.co.monmouth.nj.us/OPRS/Meetings/AgendaFrmHolder.aspx?eid=143&ty=1
This vote will gift $1.2 million which will come from state, county and Manalapan taxpayers. In exchange, he promises not to sell this recently purchased property to a developer.

"There is something wrong with a system whereby a sitting elected official applies for a taxpayer funded grant and there is no transparency. In reading the resolution, don’t be fooled by the corporate name. It is owned by elected Committeeman (and former Mayor) Andrew Lucas," stated Chairman Vin Gopal

Recently, Republican Manalapan Deputy Mayor Ryan Green voted against the Lucas land deal. Mr. Green first moved to table the purchase due to incomplete documentation. Green stood up to local Republican boss Lucas.

State Comptroller Matt Boxer recently issued the results of an investigation condemning a mayor in another New Jersey town for improperly using his position of influence in a private land deal. ttp://www.nj.gov/comptroller/news/docs/investigative_report_chesterfield_01_29_13.pdf

"This doesn't pass the smell test. While middle-class families in our county are working hard to makes ends meet, Manalapan politician Andrew Lucas is about to make over a million dollars off of taxpayers. If the Republican controlled freeholder board chooses to put the interests of their crony politicians ahead of the taxpayers of this county, we will have a serious problem. This will be one of the most important issues facing this year's county election," stated Gopal.

The public meetings are held at the Hall of Records, 1 East Main Street, Freehold, NJ 07728

Workshop Meeting at 2pm
Voting Meeting at 7pm

Since this is on the agenda, the public will have the opportunity to be heard at each of these meetings.