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.

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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

What Power Does An Alleged Felon Hold Over Monmouth County GOP Chairman Joe Oxley?

Monmouth County Republican Chair Joe Oxley has dumped the duly elected, loyal Republican committee and surrendered the ballot column to Art Gallagher's hand picked slate. In so doing he has removed loyal Republican Committee people from the same ballot column where this year's County and State Representatives will appear.

  

As the municipal chair of the Highlands County Committee I have been trying to get in touch with Mr. Oxley regarding suspected underhandedness that was brought to my attention.  Using phone calls and emails he finally responded that he would speak to me after Easter.  He did not.

 

My concern was that a sitting Councilman had indicated that he was going to run as an independent.  Mr. Oxley failed to get back to me and on April 13, 2012 he chose to remove the elected County Committee from the Republican line on the Primary Ballot and replace it with an entire slate submitted by Art Gallagher an alleged felon who may still have theft charges pending from the State of Delaware.  What power does Mr. Gallagher hold over Mr. Oxley?

 

I have been a loyal Republican for nearly 50 years and half of that time served as a Municipal County Committee member.  I am asking all Highlands Republicans to Stand Up for Highlands by voting for us in the June 5, 2012 Primary election. We can be found in column 5.

 

Thank you,

Carol Bucco

Chair of the Highlands Republican Party