Democrats Exploring Legal Options; Imploring Voters To Stand Against Intimidation

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
October 13, 2016



HAZLET – Following a report in the Asbury Park Press that voters throughout Monmouth County are having their Vote By Mail ballots returned, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal announced that he will be exploring legal options and called on voters throughout the county to refuse to be intimidated by the chaos and confusion being created as a result in advance of Election Day.

“We have run a vigorous Vote By Mail program so that Monmouth County voters without transportation or the ability to vote on November 8th would be able to make their voices heard against candidates Donald Trump, Shaun Golden, Rosemarie Peters, Tom Arnone, Serena DiMaso and their entire team. As the Monmouth County Republican Chair, Shaun Golden has publicly stood in silent support of Trump for months, even as he denigrated veterans and seniors and escalated his racist and misogynistic rhetoric day after day. Now, with just days remaining before Election Day and people across Monmouth County casting their votes, thousands may be disenfranchised.

The inexplicable inability of the County Clerk Christine Hanlon’s office to properly design the Vote By Mail envelopes, even after being informed of the problem as far back as June, has already caused chaos and confusion among voters that will only heighten as we approach Election Day. While we will be exploring all legal options, we are also imploring Monmouth County voters to not be intimidated by this latest development and to immediately inquire into how they can make sure their votes count in this important election.”

Monmouth County Republican Chairman Shaun Golden, previously labeled “a strong leader” by County Clerk Christine Hanlon, is on this year’s ballot for re-election as County Sheriff.

(Photo from the Monmouth County Republicans Facebook Page where County Clerk Christine Hanlon is at the head of the room helping to run a Municipal Chairs GOP Meeting)

Politician Inappropriately uses Veteran’s Initiative to Promote his Political Campaign

Golden has never served in the military

HAZLET - Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden is facing steep criticism from veterans after using a Veteran focused social media initiative to promote his political campaign for re-election. Golden has never served in the military in any capacity.

During a day of political campaigning, signs labeled #OnDutyForSheriffGolden were passed out to fellow politicos, including Golden himself. The group posed on numerous occasions and spread the photos throughout social media, a clear attempt to grasp on to the support for the veteran focused initiative for political gain. Because of the political maneuver, Golden was met with heavy criticism by local veterans for his willingness to abuse the veteran focused initiative for personal and political gain.

In 2014, Iowa Senator Joni Ernst, a Lieutenant Colonel in the United States Army, began a social media initiative for veterans using the title #OnDutyForJoni. Supporters would pose for photos on their social media webpages using the title #OnDutyForJoni as a call for support of Ernst and other veterans serving at home and overseas.

Golden is facing the most competitive challenge to his re-election he has seen in the near decade he has spent in the Sheriff’s Office. His opponent, U.S. Army Colonel Jeff Cantor joined fellow candidate U.S. Army Captain Vincent Solomeno in the veterans focused social media initiative by having their supporters pose online while they served overseas this year.

“I know political campaigns get dirty, but this is beyond the pale. How can we trust a sheriff to protect us who is willing to do whatever it takes to score political points, even if it means co-opting a veterans’ initiative for his own gain? It’s disgraceful.” Vietnam Combat Fighter Pilot Veteran, Lieutenant Colonel (Retired) Ray Dothard commented.


************

Picture from Jeff Cantor for Monmouth County Sheriff  Facebook page

Monmouth County Republican Chair and County Sheriff Shaun Golden and his Candidates for County Office on Trump: . . ?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
From Monmouth County Democrats
6/10/16


“It’s time for Golden to tell his ticket where they stand on Trump so they can let Monmouth County voters know.”

HAZLET- Editorial writers, columnists, politicians and voters everywhere are continuing to talk about Donald Trump’s racist, bigoted remarks made in the aftermath of revelations that his Trump University was preying on hard-working middle class families and seniors.

Some Republican Leaders have come out against their presumptive nominee for President and some are attempting to rationalize Trump’s statements.

However, Monmouth County Republican Chairman and candidate for Sheriff Shaun Golden and his entire hand picked County ticket have silently shrunk away from the Trump controversies. Rather than let their constituents know where they stand, they continue to put their partisan politics before the communities they were elected to serve in the hopes that voters forget by November 7th.

It’s time for Golden to tell his ticket where they stand on Trump so they can let Monmouth County voters know.

This is what people are saying in Monmouth County, across New Jersey and throughout the country:

http://politickernj.com/2016/06/trump-based-attacks-surface-as-state-republicans-stay-mum/

“We expect office holders in Monmouth County to stand against racism, bigotry and anyone who would take advantage of hard-working middle class families and seniors,” wrote Democratic freeholder candidates Sue Fulton and Matt Doherty. “Donald Trump and his Trump University targeted and took advantage of countless people – and now he is attempting to defend that behavior with more bigotry and bias.

“Mr. Trump is the standard-bearer for their party; we need to whether our office-holders share Mr. Trump’s values, or whether they will put their community ahead of party loyalty.”

http://www.app.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/06/08/christie-trump-defense-racist-remarks/85608982/

Trump’s remarks were purely racist, despite denials by Trump himself and by Christie. He made a judgment about the judge based solely on his heritage. Republican House Speaker Paul Ryan said Trump’s comments were “the textbook definition of racist comments” — a textbook Trump could fill by himself with his bigoted remarks about Mexicans and Muslims and his sexist remarks about women.

Nonetheless, Ryan said he would support Trump regardless. But at least he repudiated Trump’s remarks instead of trying to rationalize them, as Christie did.

http://www.nj.com/opinion/index.ssf/2016/06/chris_christies_endless_ambition_leads_him_to_embr.html

He was asked about Trump's novel assertion that a judge of Mexican descent should be barred from presiding over the Trump University fraud case. Because, you know, he's Mexican.

Trump later added that Muslim judges should probably be barred as well.

Republicans everywhere winced. Their undisputed leader was slicing up America into racial and religious fiefdoms, and sowing profound disrespect for the rule of law.
Should black defendants now insist on having black judges? Whites can only trust fellow whites? Christians can only trust fellow Christians? If we followed Trump down this wormhole, where would it end?

Forget about the freedom and prosperity that the rule of law has brought: Let's go tribal.
Suddenly, the comparison to Adolf Hitler made by Gov. Christie Whitman seems prophetic.

House Speaker Paul Ryan, who endorsed Trump only a few days ago, called it "a textbook definition of a racist comment."

http://www.northjersey.com/opinion/trump-may-become-the-textbook-definition-of-racism-1.1613971

Horrible things happen when average people do nothing, when they refuse for self-serving purposes (See: Christie) to acknowledge a truth that needs to be acknowledged. The candidacy of Donald Trump is built on fear, frustration and racism.

http://www.desmoinesregister.com/story/opinion/editorials/2016/06/08/editorial-grassley-ignores-judicial-crisis-and-trumps-racism/85549460/

As Edmund Burke said, the only thing necessary for the triumph of evil is for good men to do nothing. And when it comes to Donald Trump, there are invertebrates that have shown more spine than (Iowa) Sen. Charles Grassley.

http://www.salon.com/2016/06/07/no_way_out_for_trump_backing_republicans_hes_doubling_down_on_racist_remarks_as_gop_leaders_struggle_to_respond/

“The GOP Trump train was already full of uneasy passengers, people who know he’s a charlatan but are too cowardly to take a principled stand. Things escalated this week when Trump let loose a string of nakedly racist statements about a Mexican-American U.S. District Judge (Gonzalo Curiel) and promptly followed it up with another, equally racist statement about a hypothetical Muslim judge . . . “

“You’d think that time would’ve occurred when Trump proposed banning all Muslims from entering the country or when he suggested killing the families of suspected terrorists or when he propounded birther conspiracies, but nope, this was the final straw. As I wrote yesterday, the time for Republicans to criticize Trump has long past. Claiming an American judge can’t do his duty on account of his Mexican heritage is revolting, but no more or less revolting than a dozen other things Trump has said or done. Hence all this moralizing from Republicans feels flat and empty at this point.
At any rate, you can expect more angst from Republicans in the coming months. The price of hopping aboard the Trump train is going to rise immeasurably between now and November. Trump’s statements about Judge Curiel have been universally loathed, and yet he’s made it clear he has no intention of backing away from them. In fact, as is his custom, he’s doubling down . . . “

“None of this is surprising. This is who Trump has been since he lunged into presidential politics. He won’t back down. He’s going to own every stupid and hateful thing he says. And now, because they opened their doors to him, the Republican Party is going to own it too.”

http://www.politico.com/story/2016/06/trump-house-republicans-racism-224000

Or, in the case of endangered Sen. Mark Kirk (R-Ill.), ditching Trump altogether.

By the end of the day, Trump had issued a new statement blaming the media for his problems, without apologizing to the Indiana-born federal judge, Gonzalo Curiel, who is presiding over lawsuits against Trump University. Trump then declared he was done commenting on the matter.

But the damage was already done.

"I have spent my life building bridges and tearing down barriers — not building walls. That's why I find Donald Trump's belief that an American-born judge of Mexican descent is incapable of fairly presiding over his case is not only dead wrong, it is un-American," the first-term senator said. "After much consideration, I have concluded that Donald Trump has not demonstrated the temperament necessary to assume the greatest office in the world."

CANTOR: GOLDEN’S TRUMP SILENCE ONCE AGAIN HIGHLIGHTS HIS CONFLICTS

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE 
April 21, 2016



HAZLET- On the heels of Donald Trump’s victory in the New York Republican Presidential Primary, Monmouth County Democratic candidate for Sheriff, Jeff Cantor, today questioned why Monmouth County Sheriff and County Republican Party Boss, Shaun Golden is refusing to let people know whether he stands in support of Trump for President. Trump has already been endorsed by the head of the New Jersey Republican Party, Chris Christie, as well as by Golden’s fellow Party Boss, Ocean County’s George Gilmore.

With New Jersey’s June 7th Primary date looming and the Republican nominee for President far from decided, Trump’s many controversial positions have forced Golden’s position as Republican Party Boss to again come into sharper focus in conjunction with his position as the County’s highest ranking law enforcement official. This is just the latest conflict of interest brought on by Golden’s positions as both County Republican Party Chairman and County Sheriff.

“Donald Trump has advocated for advanced torture methods, called for a wall to be built to discriminate against people and even said at one point that women seeking abortions should ‘be punished,’” said Cantor. “Donald Trump’s hateful, bigoted positions have been very clear from the outset of his campaign for President and it is well past time for Shaun Golden to work through his conflicted interests as Party Boss and County Sheriff and let us all know whether the Monmouth County Sheriff believes Donald Trump should be our next President. The fact is that in his ‘day job’ as County Sheriff, Shaun Golden is responsible for maintaining the infrastructure and safety for over 600,000 Monmouth County residents, so his party politics are not my concern.”

This conflict has long been an issue, even within Golden’s own party, as evidenced by statements made during Golden's recent run for Republican Party Chairman by former Monmouth County Prosecutor and President of the Monmouth County Affiliated Republican Club, John Kaye, former Monmouth County Republican Chairman Fredrick Niemann as well as Manalapan Township Republican County Chairman Steve McEnery and Freehold Township Republican County Committee Chairman Anthony Graziano.

Former County Prosecutor Kaye said that holding both the Chairman and Sheriff’s positions: “ . . . would immediately create conflicts for our Freeholders and vulnerabilities for our candidates that put everyone at risk . . . This is because the Sheriff’s office is part of the county government and subject to the Board of Freeholder’s review for funding. “

Former Chairman Niemann wrote: “You are either an elected official or a party leader. You can’t do both. To do both is an inherent conflict of interest.”

At the same time, McEnery and Graziano cited numerous potential ethical conflicts in Golden serving as Party Boss and Sheriff and they wrote: “ . . . he will, among other things, be seeking approval for various necessities tied to the County’s largest Department, including its budget, from the very same people who will be looking to him for support, endorsement, and financing during election cycles.”

**********

Jeff Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Gopal And Cantor To Golden: Do You Support Donald Trump?

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE
March 24, 2016


HAZLET- Following Republican Presidential front runner Donald Trump's repeated calls to reinstitute waterboarding as a means of interrogation and for torture methods that would go further, Monmouth County Democratic Chairman Vin Gopal and Monmouth County Democratic candidate for Sheriff Jeff Cantor, a 30 year military veteran, released the following statement asking Monmouth County Republican Chairman and County Sheriff Shaun Golden if he supports Trump for President.

" Like millions across the world, we were appalled to see the most recent atrocities carried out by those that would seek to plunge our world into chaos and violence. Also, like many, we want to see everyone involved brought to justice so that they may be punished and so they may shed light on any other potential plots against humanity. However, in a civilized society, torture can never be the answer. The fact that the frontrunner for the Republican nomination for President, Donald Trump, proudly stands in favor of torturing suspects is truly disturbing. While it may be a bit unorthodox for both the Democratic Chairman and the Democratic candidate for Sheriff to both call on Shaun Golden to say whether he endorses Donald Trump for President, it is entirely appropriate in this case given the fact that Golden serves two very important and influential roles in Monmouth County.

Serving as Monmouth County Sheriff, Shaun Golden is the top law enforcement official in Monmouth County, and county residents deserve to know if he stands in support of someone who strongly and proudly advocates in favor of torture. As the Monmouth County Republican Chairman, Shaun Golden most certainly needs to take into consideration the fact that the head of the Republican Party in New Jersey, Chris Christie, has been among Donald Trump's most outspoken supporters. While these two positions may be at odds, it is time for Shaun Golden to let everyone know if he stands in support of Donald Trump. We would appreciate the Chairman's answer before his hand-picked Freeholder candidates pass the budget for his Sheriff's Department tonight."

Jeff Cantor previously announced his candidacy for Monmouth County Sheriff. Cantor has been in the U.S. Army, both active and in the reserves, since 1985. He has served our country around the world, including deployments to Kosovo, Iraq and Afghanistan. After starting as a Private First Class, Cantor rose through the ranks and has earned the rank of Colonel in the Army Reserves. Jeff Cantor has been awarded the Bronze Star Medal, Defense Meritorious Service Medal, Meritorious Service Medal, Army Commendation Medal (3rd award), Joint Service Achievement Medal, Army Achievement Medal (3rd award), Global War on Terrorism Expeditionary Medal, Global War on Terrorism Service Medal, National Defense Service Medal (2nd award), Kosovo Campaign Medal, Iraq Campaign Medal, Afghanistan Campaign Medal, Military Outstanding Volunteer Service Medal, and the North Atlantic Treaty Organization Medal (2nd award); He has also been awarded the Combat Infantryman Badge, the Combat Action Badge and the Basic Parachutist Badge.

Ruben Scolavino Blasts Sheriff Golden for Pension Scam at Accreditation Hearing

FOR IMMEDIATE RELEASE:

Monmouth County Democratic Candidate for Sheriff Ruben Scolavino went on the offensive this Monday, calling out Republican Sheriff Shaun Golden for rubber stamping the Sheriff Department’s accreditation while a pension scam investigation still lingers.

Ruben Scolavino

The Commission on Accreditation for Law Enforcement held a public information session where they took comments from residents as a part of their on-site assessment of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Department.

Mr. Scolavino’s statement before the commission addressed the long standing problem of pension fraud that has resulted in a still open investigation. Scolavino blasted Golden for changing several high ranking officers’ job titles, without any real change in their responsibilities, in order to allow their continued receipt of salaries - as well as a pension.

By simultaneously receiving a salary and pension, employees Donovan, Freeman, and Dawson received a total of $245,000, $151,000, and $184,000.

"Sheriff Shaun Golden has rigged the system so that employees could collect a salary while still collecting a pension. He has abused Monmouth County taxpayers and needs to be held accountable." said Scolavino. Mr. Scolavino urged the Commission to withhold accreditation pending the results of the ongoing investigation.

Scolavino said, “Shaun Golden has failed to meet the high standards set by the Commission. His behavior has cost the taxpayers hundreds of thousands of dollars and eroded their trust in his leadership.”

3 Years Later Brophy Was Right To Oppose Federal Detainees Held At Monmouth County Jail

Democratic Freeholder candidate Brian Froelich, wrote a letter that appeared in the Asbury Park Press over the weekend that stated how 2010 Monmouth County Sheriff candidate, Eric Brophy, was correct to oppose housing federal detainees in our county jail sighting the need for excessive overtime and other costs associated with it.

Now 3 years later, Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden, has decided to end the program that he championed as a money saver for the county, sighting excessive overtime costs and other expenses as his reason to end the program! Go figure...

Here's the letter:

The Asbury Park Press and the Monmouth County Republicans were wrong again.

When Democrat Eric Brophy ran against Republican incumbent Shaun Golden for sheriff in 2010, he said that housing federal detainees in the Monmouth County Jail for the federal government was causing expensive overtime, costing the county money, and should be stopped. Golden disagreed.

The Press endorsed Golden on that basis and said: “Brophy argues the county is losing money by housing federal detainees, saying it costs $179 per day to house an inmate, while the federal reimbursement rate is only $105. Golden’s argument that the county actually saves money … is more convincing.”

On Monday, Sheriff Golden’s office reported it would stop housing federal detainees in order to reduce corrections officers’ overtime and save money.

Now, if Golden and Republican freeholders would also stop hiring double-dipping pensioners, they might get close to saving the taxpayers what Democrat Brophy and others would have been saving taxpayers for the last three years.

Brian Froelich

Democratic candidate for freeholder

        

NJ Watchdog: THE “GOLDEN” AGE OF DOUBLE-DIPPING IN MONMOUTH COUNTY

NJ Watchdog yesterday posted a follow-up to it's story "43 TOP NJ COUNTY COPS DO THE BIG DOUBLE-DIP: HOW 16 SHERIFFS & 27 UNDERSHERIFFS POCKET MILLIONS IN PENSIONS PLUS SALARIES" by investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist, which I posted about back in September.

The update titled "THE “GOLDEN” AGE OF DOUBLE-DIPPING IN MONMOUTH COUNTY" details the abuses of the Monmouth County Sheriffs Department and specifically names both former Monmouth County Sheriffs Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and current Sheriff Shaun Golden, as being complacent in the hiring of and promotions of 3 current Monmouth County Undersheriff who all are politically connected, retired from well paying state jobs and started collecting their pensions, then were hired to work for the Sheriffs Department.

This practice of complacently allowing Double-Dipping by in Monmouth County by our current and former Sherriffs is even more disturbing when you consider that they have been rewarded for their actions, Guadagno going on to become Lt. Governor and Golden recently being named as Secretary of the statewide organization the Constitutional Officers Association of New Jersey (COANJ), which is a nearly century-old professional organization of the elected constitutional officers of all 21 counties who's membership includes Sheriffs, County Surrogates, County Clerks, and Registers of Deeds and Mortgages.

Why do the Monmouth County Freeholders allow this abuse of tax payer dollars to go on?

Below is an excerpt from NJ Watchdogs update:

Three of Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden’s undersheriffs are guilty of double-dipping – not a felony or misdemeanor, just a costly reality in the world of New Jersey politics.

The most controversial of the three is Undersheriff Michael W. Donovan Jr. Donovan’s double-dipping – revealed by a New Jersey Watchdog investigative report last year

As Monmouth County sheriff in 2008, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno hired Donovan as chief in charge of law enforcement. There was an obstacle: Donovan had retired as a county investigator three years earlier. Since a sheriff’s chief officer is a position subject to the rules of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), Donovan faced the prospect of giving up pension checks by going back to work.

To help Donovan double-dip, Guadagno informed payroll officials Donovan was her chief warrant officer – a similar sounding but completely different position not subject to PFRS rules. In contrast, Guadagno’s own memo and organizational chart identified Donovan as her chief in charge of law enforcement.

With Guadagno’s help, Donovan pocketed $85,000 a year in retirement pay along with his new salary of $87,000. He scammed $245,000 from PFRS – $227,000 in pension pay, plus $18,000 he should have contributed to the pension fund after being re-hired.

Faced with controversy, Sheriff Shaun Golden – Guadagno’s successor – found a way to protect his office and Donovan. In February, Golden gave Donovan a raise and promoted him to undersheriff, a position not subject to PFRS rules. So Donovan continues his double-dipping ways, more lucrative than ever.....

Read more

NJ Watchdog: 41 TOP NJ COUNTY COPS DO THE BIG DOUBLE-DIP: HOW 16 SHERIFFS & 25 UNDERSHERIFFS POCKET MILLIONS IN PENSIONS PLUS SALARIES

Very good investigative report by Mark Lagerkvist posted over at NJ WatchDog that chronicles the double dipping(those that receive a state salary while also collecting a state pension) of many county cops around the state.

Of particular interest to those who live in Monmouth County is the excerpt below that pertains the Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno, who went out of her way to provide a double-dipping job opportunity to Michael W. Donovan in 2008 while Monmouth County Sheriff.

Current Monmouth County Sheriff, Shaun Golden has been complacent on the issue and has given Donovan a pay raise while promoting to the position of Undersheriff.

The double-dipping of Michael W. Donovan Jr. – revealed by a New Jersey Watchdog investigative report last year – provides an inside look at how powerful politicians can conspire to cheat pension funds.

As Monmouth County sheriff in 2008, Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno hired Donovan as chief in charge of law enforcement. There was an obstacle: Donovan had retired as a county investigator three years earlier. Since a sheriff’s chief officer is a position subject to the rules of the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System (PFRS), Donovan faced the prospect of giving up pension checks by going back to work.

To help Donovan double-dip, Guadagno informed payroll officials Donovan was her chief warrant officer – a similar sounding but completely different position not subject to PFRS rules. In contrast, Guadagno’s own memo and organizational chart identified Donovan as her chief in charge of law enforcement.

With Guadagno’s help, Donovan pocketed $85,000 a year in retirement pay along with his new salary of $87,000. He scammed $245,000 from PFRS – $227,000 in pension pay, plus $18,000 he should have contributed to the pension fund after being re-hired.

Faced with controversy, Sheriff Shaun Golden – Guadagno’s successor – found a way to protect his office and Donovan. In February, Golden gave Donovan a raise and promoted him to undersheriff, a position not subject to PFRS rules. So Donovan continues his double-dipping ways, more lucrative than ever...

Some schemes are enabled by superiors who have already gamed the system for themselves...

PENSION SCANDAL IN THE SHERIFF’S OFFICE: Acting Sheriff Golden Promotes Pension Fraud By Head Of Law Enforcement Division

FOR IMMIDIATE RELEASE
October 24, 2010
Press Contact: Jon Evans (732) 739 8888

Hazlet, NJ – This week, New Jersey Watchdog.org broke news casting another ominous cloud over the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. The information, which has been verified, shows that in 2008, the previous Republican Sheriff allowed and participated in a scheme allowing a high-ranking Monmouth County Sheriff’s employee to blatantly violate pension laws giving him a full pension and a full County paycheck at the same time. Despite his knowledge of this fraudulent act, acting-Sheriff Golden continues to employ this person under the same arrangement.

Specifically, Monmouth County acting-Sheriff Shaun Golden has authorized Sheriff’s Chief Mickey Donovan to sidestep pension rules allowing him to collect more than $85,000 a year in retirement pay while at the same time still making an annual County salary of $87,500 for a total in excess of $172,000.00 per year. This “double-dipping” scheme is in violation of the New Jersey Police and Firemen’s Retirement System rules and regulations.

In May 2005, Donovan retired as a detective lieutenant from the Monmouth County Prosecutor’s Office and began collecting his annual $85,000 pension. In an August 21, 2008, memo it was announced, by then-Sheriff Kim Guadagno, that Donovan would be hired as the “new Chief of the Law Enforcement Division”. However, in order to avoid having to give back a pension, his title was changed and Donovan was hired and sworn in as “Chief Warrant Officer” on September 22, 2008. Although Donovan was hired as “Chief Warrant Officer,” permitting circumvention of the pension rules, in actuality, the position of “Chief Warrant Officer” was eliminated on September 16, 2008- a week before Donovan was hired to the fictitious position- under Sheriff’s General Order 98-20 setting forth the organizational structure of the Sheriff’s Office. As a result, Donovan was hired and continues to occupy a position that does not exist in the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. Clearly, this scheme was concocted so that Donovan could continue to double dip at taxpayers’ expense. Donovan continues to be listed on the County’s web page as “Monmouth County Sheriff’s Chief” and is described as “the Chief of the Law Enforcement Division of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office” and not as “Chief Warrants Officer.” On July 6, 2010, acting-Sheriff Golden signed an amendment to the organizational structure of the Law Enforcement Division, yet did not include the position of “Chief Warrant Officer” and there is currently no such position within the organizational structure of the Sheriff’s Office.

Democratic Sheriff Candidate Eric Brophy responded to the ongoing situation, “This continuing fraud cast upon the taxpayers of Monmouth County by sworn officers of the law is the most egregious example yet of Golden’s complete and utter mismanagement of the Monmouth County Sheriff’s Office. His complete disregard for the taxpayers of Monmouth County or for the laws and rules of this State is appalling. Someone who is charged as the Chief Executive Officer of a 600 person police agency must know the status and job titles of his division heads. If he doesn’t, then he has no business running such an operation. If he does know but disregards these acts, he is complicit in perpetuating this fraud and can no longer be trusted to hold the position. Monmouth County needs a Sheriff who will be responsible with taxpayer dollars and who not only talks about pension reform, but who actually ends abuses of the system. ”

For more details as well as evidence of all facts cited herein, visit New Jersey Watchdog Online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2010/10/19/1286/

Friends of Amit Will Hold Rally In Freehold To Demand Justice On Oct. 20th, Update: Family holds rally over Marlboro man's death in jail

If you have been keeping track of the Amit Borestien case that has become a major issue for Monmouth County Sheriff Shaun Golden and the Monmouth County Sheriff's Department, you may be interested in reading/watching the coverage of today's rally in Freehold.

Borestien was the 22 year old man who was taken into custody by sheriff officers over the summer and died while in custody 22 hours later, apparently from injuries sustained while being beaten by several members of the Monmouth County Department of Corrections.

News12 covered the rally in Freehold today and has posted it's story online with an accompanying video that unfortunately I can not post on the blog.

The one thing that I will say about the video is that Sheriff Golden, who is seeking to be elected to his first full term as Monmouth County Sheriff on November 2nd, did not present himself well while talking to the News12 reporter. He didn't seem very confident on what he was saying and fumbled through the brief segment.

You can watch the Video and read coverage from News12 >>>Here