NJ WATCHDOG: Lt Gov Debate - Snooze or Big News?

For Immediate Release:


The upcoming debate between New Jersey Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno and challenger Milly Silva could be one of the most boring political occasions of this election year.

Or it could be one of the most revealing events yet. It all depends on what questions are asked Friday evening at Kean University in Union.

For three years, the GOP lieutenant governor has dodged inquiries about her involvement in a pension scandal, first reported by New Jersey Watchdog.

False statements by Guadagno as Monmouth County sheriff enabled a top aide to improperly collect $85,000 a year in retirement pay in addition to an $87,500 salary.

The controversy is the focus of a hush-hush state criminal investigation that began in 2011. Guadagno, Gov. Chris Christie and the attorney general have all declined comment through their spokespeople.

Despite an abundance of public appearances and photo opportunities, Guadagno has never held a press conference, as noted by the Philadelphia Inquirer's Matt Katz. The debate could put her on the spot for the first time.

Democrat Silva may be reluctant to tackle Guadagno on pension issues.

A newcomer to the political stage, Silva is executive vice president of 1199SEIU – a labor union that represents nearly 400,000 workers in government and the private sector.

The other person who could bring up the pension issue during the debate is the moderator, Luke Margolis of News 12 New Jersey.

As a public service, New Jersey Watchdog offers a step-by-step primer on the Guadagno pension affair, along with documentation. Click on the links to see the supporting records:

1) In 2008, then-Sheriff Guadagno hired Michael W. Donovan Jr. as “chief of law enforcement division” at a salary of $87,500 a year. She announced the appointment in a memo to her staff. The sheriff's official website identified Donovan as "sheriff's officer chief," supervising 115 subordinate officers and 30 civilian employees.

2) Donovan was already collecting an $85,000 a year state pension as a retired investigator for the county prosecutor. While double-dipping is often legal in New Jersey, this case was different.

3) Since the position of sheriff's officer chief is covered by the pension system, Donovan should have been required to stop receiving benefits, re-enroll in the retirement plan and resume contributions to the pension fund.

4) Instead, county payroll records, the oath of office and a news release by Guadagno identified Donovan as the sheriff's "chief warrant officer" – a similar sounding, but low-ranking position that's not in the pension system. A chief warrant officer is responsible for serving warrants and other legal documents.

5) Yet on Guadagno’s organizational chart, Donovan was listed as chief of law enforcement. The position of chief warrant officer was not on the chart.

6) While sheriff's chief, Donovan pocketed $227,000 in checks from PFRS. Since he did not re-enroll in the pension plan, he avoided another $18,000 in contributions. If the state decides Donovan violated pension law, he could be forced to repay $245,000.

7) Guadagno is also at risk. Under state statute, "Any person who shall knowingly make any false statement or shall falsify or permit to be falsified any record or records of this retirement system...shall be guilty of a misdemeanor."

8) The attorney general's Division of Criminal Justice began an investigation in May 2011 at the behest of a pension board, according to a sworn statement by a state official.

9) Rather than use his constitutional authority to appoint an independent investigator, Christie allowed DCJ to run the case – an apparent conflict-of-interest. Guadagno is a former DCJ deputy director and now Christie's second-in-command. She sits in the governor's cabinet alongside the attorney general, who is in charge of DCJ.

10) Unless there are criminal charges – an extreme unlikelihood given the political circumstances – DCJ will not comment or release records of the investigation, according to a sworn statement by Deputy Attorney General Anthony A. Picione.

11) If Guadagno and Christie get their way, the case will be swept under the rug.

Any questions?

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The story is now online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org. For media inquiries, contact Mark Lagerkvist at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

ICYMI: Buono Names Milly Silva Candidate for Lt. Governor

July 29,2013

New Brunswick, NJ – Today, Democratic gubernatorial candidate Barbara Buono announced her selection of Milly Silva to serve as Lieutenant Governor candidate. The Buono-Silva ticket is only the third all-female gubernatorial ticket in American history and the first in New Jersey.

Silva has spent her life fighting to lift up those in need. For a decade, Silva has been a leading the fight for working and middle class families. As the Executive Vice President of 1199SEIU, Silva was tasked with overseeing the region’s daily activities to ensure that its 7,000 workers earn living wage and businesses have a high quality workforce.

"Milly Silva is a woman whose fundamental beliefs align with this campaign’s guiding principle – that a strong New Jersey doesn’t come from the top down but stems from a robust middle class," said Senator Barbara Buono.

"That’s why today I am so proud to announce that she will be my running mate."

Raised by a single mother in the Bronx, Silva is the product of opportunity and quality education. In the seventh grade, she was awarded a scholarship to attend a prestigious middle school – an opportunity that enabled her to pursue her dream and obtain a quality education. She later graduated from Columbia University, becoming the first member of her family to obtain a college degree – on the back of loans, grants and a work-study program. She understands firsthand the power of opportunity the need to increase access to quality opportunities for all New Jerseyans.

“I am honored to stand with Senator Buono today as we embark on this journey to restore New Jersey,” Silva said. “Senator Buono has always been a strong advocate for our middle class and our working people, our women and our children and our seniors – and I am proud to be on the ticket with a woman who shares my values.”

Silva resides in Montclair with her husband, John, and their three young children.