By STEVEN VIERA
Staff Writer
EAST BRUNSWICK — Allegations surrounding fundraising practices have led three candidates for municipal office to be referred to the township’s Board of Ethics.
Council President Michael Hughes requested that the Board of Ethics look into whether or not three East Brunswick Democrats — Dr. Brad Cohen, Councilman Michael Spadafino and Sterley Stanley — violated an ordinance by allegedly soliciting political donations on township property.
Cohen, who serves on East Brunswick’s Board of Education, is running for mayor; Stanley is running for a seat on the Township Council; and Spadafino is seeking re-election to his spot on the council.
According to Hughes, the three Democrats held a meet-and-greet event with township residents at the East Brunswick Museum, located at 16 Maple St., where they discussed how attendees could support the campaign financially. While the East Brunswick Historical Society leases the museum, it is owned by the township.
If the candidates did solicit funds, then they could be in violation of Township Ordinance 1998-35, which prohibits political fundraising on public property. It reads, “No municipal official, employee or appointee may solicit, commit to pay, or receive payment of or a commitment to pay any contribution for any candidate, elected official or political organization while in or on the property of the municipality or utilizing the property of the municipality.”
Hughes, a Republican, discussed the issue at a Township Council meeting on Aug. 8, and he submitted a letter to the Board of Ethics the following day.
In his letter, he pointed out that the Democrats did not pay a rental fee for use of the museum, and he asked the board to rule on whether or not use of the building represented another solicitation of contributions on township property “since facility rentals could be considered a ‘thing of value’ in the Township Code.”
Cohen refuted the claims.
“This allegation is ridiculous, ” he said. “This is why the public is sick and tired of politicians. Instead of focusing on the issues that matter to his residents, like figuring out a way to lower taxes or bring economic development back to the Route 18 corridor, Michael Hughes is wasting taxpayer money and the township’s resources on a half-baked allegation that is nothing more than a pathetic attempt to distract from his own miserable record of voting for the largest tax hike in the township’s history.”
This November, the position of mayor and two seats on the Township Council — the only seats held by Democrats — are up for election. A Republican sweep would see the party control the mayor’s office and all five council seats.
Contact Steven Viera at [email protected].