NJ Spotlight: A conversation with Matthew Jenkins, NJ District 4 Democratic candidate

 

NJ Spotlight News Senior Digital Projects Editor Colleen O’Dea sits down with New Jersey’s District 4 Democratic candidate Matthew Jenkins. 

 NJ Decides 2024 Election Exchange is a political podcast series that gives New Jersey voters insight into the candidates running for Congress this November. NJ Spotlight News Anchor Briana Vannozzi, Senior Political Correspondent David Cruz, and Senior Digital Projects Editor Colleen O’Dea sit down with candidates for one-on-one candid conversations about the issues impacting the Garden State. 

 

Double-Dippers Dominate NJ Sheriff Elections

Mark Lagerkvis:

Jim McDonald is weeks away from hitting a jackpot in New Jersey’s election sweepstakes as a new double-dipping county sheriff.

In January, he retired as Washington Township police chief at age 54 to draw a $94,000 a year state pension – and run for Warren County sheriff. He is unopposed on the November ballot after winning the GOP primary on a platform of “fiscal responsibility.”

McDonald is a sure bet to add a sheriff’s salary of $128,000 to his income next year, increasing his total annual take from public coffers to $222,000. He and his campaign did not respond to requests for comment.

“Public pensions are not really intended to be a way to change your lifestyle and double your income,” said Sen. Jennifer Beck, R-Red Bank, a longtime opponent of double-dipping. “It was created to support you when you are no longer working.”

Currently, three-fourths of the state’s sheriffs – 16 out of 21 – take advantage of existing loopholes to draw county salaries while receiving pensions as law enforcement “retirees,” according to a NJ Spotlight analysis. In an upcoming election packed with sheriff candidates who are double-dippers or would-be double-dippers, those numbers are unlikely to change much.

The full story on double-dippers running for sheriff is online at http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/09/18/double-dippers-dominate-sheriff-elections-across-new-jersey/

NJ Spotlight’s current list of double-dipping sheriffs is posted at http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/09/18/the-list-new-jersey-s-16-double-dipping-county-sheriffs/

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog and other news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Lagerkvist: Golden parachutes of NJ public college presidents cost millions

From Mark Lagerkvist

For departing New Jersey public college presidents, their farewell payments, perks and positions can resemble lottery jackpots. Not left to chance, these windfalls are carefully crafted into their employment contracts.

George Pruitt of Thomas Edison State University in Trenton is slated to receive $1.7 million in payouts after his presidency ends. It begins with a one-year paid sabbatical leave at his presidential salary, currently $337,000 – and a new title, president emeritus.

When he returns from sabbatical, Pruitt will begin a five-year fellowship to conduct research at TESU’s John S. Watson School of Public Service. He’ll get 80 percent of his former salary – another $1.348 million or more. To top it off, the university will pay a $10,000 lump sum to cover Pruitt’s relocation expenses.

At least 13 current presidents have an express option to work in other six-figure positons at their institutions when they step down. Nine of those chief executives can begin their post-presidential careers with generous paid sabbaticals, according to a NJ Spotlight analysis of employment contracts obtained under the Open Public Records Act.

The full story is now online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/05/23/bon-voyage-bonanzas-golden-parachutes-of-nj-public-college-chiefs-cost-millions/

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog and other newspaper, television and online news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Lagerkvist: NJIT President's $5.3M Contract Tops New Jersey's Pay and Perks for College Chiefs

By Mark Lagerkvist


At $555,000 a year, Joel Bloom does not have the highest salary among New Jersey public college presidents. But counting his extra benefits and perks from New Jersey Institute of Technology, Bloom has a taxpayer-supported deal that’s second to none.

Bloom’s five-year contract with NJIT is worth roughly $5.3 million. And that doesn’t count the cost of his pension, health insurance, vacation time, sick leave and expense account – not to mention the car and driver provided by the Newark-based research university.

No other public officials in New Jersey receive the levels of compensation that many college presidents enjoy – not even Gov. Chris Christie or state Supreme Court justices, according to a NJ Spotlight analysis.

The little-known cornucopia of extras is detailed in employment contracts obtained by NJ Spotlight under the Open Public Records Act. For example, Bloom’s deal with NJIT includes:

• Performance bonus of up to 25 percent of his salary. Last year, it was $130,000.
• Annual “retention incentive” bonus of $120,000 to help ensure his loyalty to NJIT.
• Housing allowance of $85,000 a year
• Three-fourths of his salary for two years – $825,000 based on his current pay – as an advisor and figurehead with the title of president emeritus after he retires or resigns.

NJ Spotlight’s analysis of the contracts of New Jersey’s 30 public college presidents found:

• 20 have contracts that provide for annual bonuses based on performance or longevity
• 17 receive deferred compensation or contributions to annuities to supplement the public pensions.
• 17 receive free use of college-owned residences or housing allowances as part of their compensation packages.
• 23 are provided with the use of college cars or an allowance to cover the cost of their own automobiles.

The story is now online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/05/22/njit-president-s-5-3m-contract-takes-top-spot-among-nj-college-chiefs/. Details on each college president – with links to their contracts – is posted at http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/05/22/the-list-all-the-presidents-pay-and-perks-at-new-jersey-s-public-colleges/.

Lagerkvist: Christie's security expenses hit $1.7M, details remain secret

Christie’s security travel costs hit $1.77 million; how most was spent remains a mystery

The travel costs of the governor’s security detail soared last year with Chris Christie’s presidential ambitions, but details of how the taxpayers’ money was spent remain a state secret.

Of the nearly $614,000 spent on travel in 2015 by the State Police Executive Protection Unit, $545,000 was charged to American Express cards issued to the governor’s office. Citing concerns for Christie’s safety, the state has refused to release the Amex statements that list food, lodging, transportation and incidental expenses for out-of-state trips.

Overall, EPU expenses totaled nearly $1.77 million for Christie’s first six years as New Jersey governor. More than 85 percent – or $1.52 million – was charged to state Amex accounts, effectively exempt from outside scrutiny.

A NJ Spotlight analysis of internal administration documents, obtained through Open Public Records Act requests, illustrate how the EPU travel costs increased year-by-year as Christie pursued his political fortunes outside of New Jersey:

2010 – $64,975: Security travel expenses during Christie’s first year as governor were roughly one-tenth of the 2015 total.

2011 – $129,842: EPU expenses double as Christie starts to get national attention.

2012 – $248,277: Costs double again as Christie’s political star continues to rise, culminating in his keynote speech at the Republican National Convention and campaign appearances for Mitt Romney.

2013 – $220,355: Christie’s out-of-state trips decrease slightly as he campaigns in New Jersey for re-election as governor.

2014 – $492,420: As chairman of the Republican Governors Association, Christie journeys extensively to help raise $106 million in political contributions. While RGA pays for Christie’s expenses, taxpayers are stuck with the EPU bills.

2015 – $613,693: More than $340,000 in EPU travel costs are racked up after June 30, the date Christie officially declared his candidacy for president. During 2015, Christie traveled outside the state for all or part of 261 days.

The complete story and supporting documents are online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/03/13/christie-s-security-travel-costs-hit-1-77m-how-most-was-spent-remains-mystery/

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog and other newspaper, television and online news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

Lagerkvist: NJ $100K pensions double in 5 years

Retired New Jersey officials with $100,000-plus public pensions double in five years

The ranks of retired public officials who collect more than $100,000 a year from New Jersey pensions have more than doubled in the past five years, according to a NJ Spotlight analysis of state Treasury data.

When 2015 ended, 2,296 retirees were collecting six-figure pensions from state pension plans. It is a 131 percent increase above 2010, when the count was 992.

The top of the “$100K Club” is loaded with retired school executives. Former Essex County College president A.Z. Yamba leads the pack with $195,000 in annual retirement pay. Of the 30 pensioners who get $150,000 or more, 22 retired as educators.

But in sheer numbers, police and fire officials are predominate. Nearly half – or 1,131 pensioners – belong to the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System.

Of those PFRS retirees, 93 percent – or 1,050 – took advantage of a “special retirement” provision in state pension law. It allows law enforcement officers – but not other public employees – to collect full benefits after 25 years of service, regardless of age.

Ironically, the largest state pension plan – the Public Employee Retirement System – has comparatively few members in the $100K Club.

PERS has roughly 160,000 retirees, more than half of the state’s 300,000 pensioners. But just 172 – roughly one-tenth of one percent – get pensions of $100,000 a year or more. PERS is comprised of government workers who are not in the plans that cover educators, law enforcement and the judiciary.

Overall, less than one percent of state retirees belong to the $100K Club.

The complete story – and a database of state retirees collecting $100,000-plus annual pensions – are online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/03/13/the-list-retired-nj-officials-with-100-000-plus-public-pensions-doubles-in-five-years/

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who has worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog and other newspaper, television and online news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net.

With Christie out of race, will his NJ expenses go up?

From Mark Lagerkvist

As a presidential candidate, Gov. Chris Christie could bank on campaign funds to pay for his meals, travel and entertainment on his many travels.

Out of the race, he is likely to spend more of the $95,000 a year state expense account he receives in addition to his $175,000 annual salary. In the state budget, it is listed as “an allowance of funds not otherwise appropriated and used for official receptions on behalf of the state, the operation of an official residence, for other expenses.”

Last year, the governor used just $13,191 of that allowance and returned $81,809 to the state, according to Treasury records. The big reason: Christie was traveling outside the state on all or part of 261 days in 2015 – and when he was gone, it was usually funded by his campaign committee or other political entities.

In contrast, he spent $92,284 from the allowance during 2010. And during his first five-plus years as governor, Christie charged nearly $300,000 to the state for food and alcohol purchases.

It’s the same expense account Christie tapped to pay for food and drink concessions at MetLife Stadium.

On 82 occasions, Christie used a debit card in 2010 and 2011 to pay a total of $82,594 to Delaware North Sportservice, which operates the concessions at the home field for Giants and Jets. The governor’s office did not provide any receipts, business reasons or names of individuals entertained, but defended the expense.

On another front, taxpayers may find good news in that former candidate Christie is less likely to take out-of-state trips that require State Police protection details to travel with him.

Since Christie took office in 2010, travel expenses for the Executive Protection Unit have totaled $1.57 million. Of that amount, $1.33 million was charged to American Express cards for unspecified expenses.

The story by investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist is now online at NJ Spotlight – http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/02/10/will-governor-s-expenses-go-up-now-that-christie-s-out-of-presidential-race/#

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Mark Lagerkvist is a veteran investigative reporter who previously worked for CNBC, News 12, Asbury Park Press, New Jersey Watchdog, and other news outlets. His work has won more than 60 journalism awards, including honors from National Press Club, Scripps Howard Foundation, and Investigative Reporters & Editors (IRE). He can be reached at Mark@Lagerkvist.net

Questions remain on Guadagno pension-fraud probe after State shuts door on probe

From NOT NJ Watchdog:

The shadow of a pension fraud probe continues to hang over Lt. Governor Kim Guadagno, who acted as titular head of New Jersey government for most of last year and is widely expected to run for governor in 2017.

With a recent appellate court ruling that released some records but withheld the findings of the investigation, it is unlikely the public will ever learn why the case was quietly dropped by the attorney general’s Division of Criminal Justice, where Guadagno once served as deputy director.

As Monmouth County sheriff, Guadagno made false and conflicting statements that enabled her chief officer, Michael Donovan, to collect an $85,000 a year pension in addition to his $87,500 salary. It was one of three cases the Police and Firemen’s Retirement System board of trustees referred to DCJ for investigation.

“The concerns raised are that the taxpayers of New Jersey are being defrauded,” wrote PFRS board secretary Wendy Jamison to then-Attorney General Paula Dow in June 2011. “Please provide this office with the outcome of this investigation.”

Instead, the DCJ refused to share the findings with PFRS, leaving its board without the guidance it sought on how to handle double-dipping abuses.

“Upon a thorough investigation of this matter, it is being returned to you for whatever administrative action you deem appropriate,” DCJ Corruption Bureau Chief Christine Hoffman informed PFRS in a June 2012 letter that reported the case closed, but little else.

The Appellate Division ordered the release of those two communications after a lengthy public records battle. Yet the judges allowed DCJ to keep secret a five-page memo that contains the findings of the investigation.

While the probe ended without prosecution, the underlying facts of the case continue to challenge Guadagno’s credibility.

The full story by investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist is now online at NJ Spotlight - http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/16/01/05/state-shuts-door-on-guadagno-pension-fraud-probe-but-questions-remain/.

Mark Lagerkvis: Christie reveals travel secrets he convinced a court to keep confidential

December 8, 2015

Chris Christie’s presidential campaign is revealing his travel secrets – the same type of data the New Jersey governor convinced a court to keep confidential because it would supposedly endanger his safety.

The names and locations of 34 hotels and 32 restaurants where the Christie entourage lodged and dined were listed by Chris Christie for President Inc. in its quarterly report to the Federal Election Commission. Required by law, the 1,030-page document details $2.8 million the campaign spent on various expenses from July through September.

Those disclosures are in direct conflict with the argument Christie used to convince a judge not to release state records of travel expenses racked up by the governor’s Executive Protection Unit and paid by New Jersey taxpayers, including $1.3 million in American Express charges.

Four months ago, Superior Court Judge Mary C. Jacobson ruled that past records of the EPU’s meals, lodging and transportation could create a potential security risk for the governor in the future. The troopers assigned to protect Christie often take the same flights and stay at the same hotels as the man they guard.

In court, Jacobson said she based her decision on a confidential sworn statement submitted under court seal by State Police Capt. Kevin Cowan, head of EPU.

“He unequivocally swears in that certification that release of the information would increase the risk of harm to the governor,” said the judge.

Yet those are the same types of details provided in the Christie campaign’s report to the FEC, publicly available online at the commission’s web site. The record includes the name of the business, address, type of expense and amount paid– though it does not identify the individuals who are traveling.

The result is a paradox: The hotels, restaurants and airlines patronized by Christie and his campaign staff using private money are a matter of public record. Yet details of the public cost caused by Christie’s White House run are kept secret by court order.

The complete story by investigative reporter Mark Lagerkvist is online at NJ Spotlight at http://www.njspotlight.com/stories/15/12/08/christie-reveals-travel-secrets-that-he-convinced-court-to-keep-confidential/.

NJ Spotlight: SHOULD THE STATE OFFLOAD TEACHER RETIREMENT BENEFITS ONTO LOCAL SCHOOL DISTRICTS?

NO, the state should not dump teacher retirement benefits on the local school districts. That idea is insane and would cost local towns $Millions regardless of what Christie or his cronies want us to believe.  

JOHN REITMEYER | MARCH 2, 2015 

That’s one of the suggestions of Christie’s expert commission, but the big question is what happens to property taxes 

In New Jersey, school districts pay the salaries of their teachers, but it’s the state that picks up the costs of their retirements. Cities and towns, meanwhile, cover their employees’ salaries as well as their retirement costs. 

That split responsibility is at the heart of one of the core elements of the sweeping changes to public employee benefits that were put forward last week by the nonpartisan commission of experts impaneled by Gov. Chris Christie. Boxed in by a state economy that hasn’t grown as quickly as he once envisioned and a recent court ruling ordering billions in additional state pension contributions, Christie charged the group with finding ways to make worker benefits more affordable. 

The commission has proposed shifting the cost of teacher pensions from the state to the school districts, whose primary source of funding is local property taxes. It is also proposing the adoption of less-generous health coverage for teachers and other public workers, and it made the case that there would be enough savings from changing the health plans to allow the local governments to cover the cost of the pensions, which right now cost the state about $2.5 billion annually just for teachers. 

“This reform would be cost neutral to local governments,” the report says. 

But not everyone sounds convinced just yet. Bill Dressel, executive director of the New Jersey League of Municipalities, questioned the logic of diverting any savings realized by local governments when told of the commission’s ideas. He also noted that the pension funds for local employees like police officers and firefighters are among those in the overall pension system that are in the best shape....

Continue reading 

OP-ED: WE NEED TO CHANGE POLICY DIRECTION TO MAKE A DIFFERENCE IN WOMEN’S LIVES

The following Op-ed, written by Monmouth County Democrat Roz Ressner was posted yesterday on NJ Spotlight: 


Women have listened closely to Congressman Chris Smith’s concerns; now it’s up to him to return the favor and listen to us

Women have listened to Congressman Chris Smith’s speeches on abortion issues. We take into consideration the convictions that propel him to enact healthcare legislation that impacts a woman’s most personal medical needs, but now ask that he listen to those voices he professes to care about. They are young teens and women -- married and single moms, those who are childless, those unable to conceive.

To a great extent, the ability to provide a safe, loving family environment is dependent upon quality of education and the financial stability provided to women. For most, bringing a child into the world is a joyous event, but oftentimes it is overshadowed by untenable situations -- low-paying jobs with little or no access to healthcare, too-short maternity leave, no flex time when children are sick. Fear of losing one’s job often results in children being left to fend for themselves or unsafe childcare. We can all agree that desperate women make desperate decisions.

Women have listened to Congressman Smith’s speech about HR7, misleadingly called “The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act.” Its real premise is that funds derived from an employee’s health insurance plan or pretax personal flex-spending account cannot be used to purchase contraceptives -- this being tantamount to so-called “abortion services” or taxpayer dollars paying for government-funded abortions. It further penalizes employers whose insurance packages include reproductive health benefits.

It is a known fact that the pill helps to reduce the risk of ovarian and endometrial cancer and is used for other serious conditions related to women’s health. Unless one believes that the pill (or other forms of contraception) is solely used as a form of abortion or a prevention of pregnancy, then “The No Taxpayer Funding for Abortion Act” is truly a misnomer, allowing “fiction to win over fact.” Therefore, to deny insurance benefits forcing women to pay out-of- pocket for their medical expenses creates undue hardship to already strained budgets.

Congressman Smith has voted repeatedly for the Personhood Bill, which gives a fetus the same rights as an adult human, bans birth control, stem-cell research, and in-vitro fertilization. For thousands of women who require medical intervention, this bill would seriously threaten their ability to seek IVF treatment to become parents.

Congressman Smith rails against the sex-trafficking trade. Yet he did not vote for The Violence Against Women Act, even though hundreds of women are victims of rape, kidnapping, and forced prostitution every day. Women in trouble or who require affordable reproductive healthcare and screenings visit Planned Parenthood’s 700 health centers in the U.S. This provider offers educational programs that teach teens about the seriousness and great responsibility of parenthood. Yet these clinics are constantly under fire because 3 percent of their healthcare is for abortion services. Alas, there will always be abortions, safe, botched, or worse. Is there anything we can do to alter this landscape?

Yes, women have listened to Mr. Smith’s impassioned speeches, and although we respect his beliefs, they have caused a great divide. We ask now that his indefatigable energy be used to make a constructive difference; first, by promoting sex education -- proven successful in lowering the risk of teen pregnancy and reducing abortion rates -- and secondly, by enacting legislation that supports training, for higher-paying jobs, income equality, affordable housing, and childcare. Only then will women be able to make positive, empowered decisions. If asked, women will tell him that all of the above would be the answer to their prayers. Women have listened and now respectfully ask that he would do the same.

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Roz Ressner is the owner of Earth Friendly Organic Farm in Clarksburg. She serves as District 7 committeeperson in Millstone Township and as corresponding secretary for the Millstone Township Democratic Club.

NJ WATCHDOG: Double trouble for Christie

For immediate release:

BRIDGEGATE AND DOUBLEGATE SPELL DOUBLE TROUBLE FOR CHRISTIE

Long before Bridgegate, Gov. Chris Christie and his administration have quietly tried to escape Doublegate – an alleged $245,000 pension fraud involving Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno.

New Jersey Watchdog revealed last week that an investigation by the attorney general’s Division of Criminal Justice was virtually non-existent, producing only a secret five-page report following a 13-month probe.

Today, NJ Spotlight followed up with a comprehensive report by Mark Magyar.

Bridgegate and Doublegate spell double trouble for the Christie and company. While Bridgegate has gained national fame, the details of Doublegate are still not widely known. Here is a summary comparing the two scandals:

Bridgegate is an investigation into whether the Christie Administration closed traffic lanes at the George Washington Bridge as retribution against the mayor of Fort Lee, who refused to endorse Christie in the 2013 election.

Doublegate began as an investigation into alleged pension fraud involving Lt. Gov. Kim Guadagno. It now focuses on whether the Christie Administration effectively sabotaged the investigation.

Bridgegate was investigated by an outside law firm hired by the governor. The inquiry was headed by attorney Randy Mastro.

Doublegate was investigated by the attorney general’s Division of Criminal Justice. Despite an apparent conflict of interest – Guadagno is a former deputy director of DCJ – Christie did not appoint a special investigator or prosecutor.

The Bridgegate report by Mastro is 360 pages. It was publicly released and posted on the Internet at http://gdcreport.com/.

The Doublegate report by DCJ is five pages. It remains a secret document, despite a public records lawsuit by a New Jersey Watchdog reporter.

During the Bridgegate probe, Mastro and his associates interviewed 75 witnesses during a two-month period

During the Doublegate probe, there is no record that DCJ contacted, interviewed or took statements from anyone during a 13-month investigation.

Christie held two press conferences to discuss Bridgegate – a two-hour marathon in January and another one in March after the Mastro report was released.

Christie and Guadagno have repeatedly refused to answer questions about Doublegate.

The Democrat-controlled State Legislature has aggressively pursued an investigation of Bridgegate that has dimmed Christie’s chances of pursuing the White House in 2016.

The State Legislature has essentially ignored Doublegate, which could bring the pension abuses of both Democrats and Republicans into the public spotlight.

New Jersey Watchdog’s latest update on Doublegate is online at http://newjersey.watchdog.org/2014/06/02/christie-guadagno-investigation-2/.