Says Conduct of Chesterfield Official Demonstrates Need to Transfer Oversight at Municipal, School Board Level to State Ethics Watchdog

Responding to a report issued by State Comptroller Matthew Boxer detailing how a Chesterfield Township Committeeman exploited his position to reap a $200, 000 windfall on the sale of development rights on his property, Senate Republican Leader Tom Kean, Jr. is calling for the Senate to consider legislation he is sponsoring to tighten local government ethics oversight.

“This case of alleged self-dealing by an elected official exposes a need for greater accountability at the local level,” said Kean. “In addition to, as the Comptroller recommends, subjecting local government officials to the same penalties as state officials for violating ethics laws, we should also bring adjudication of such local conflicts of interest the same agency as those occurring at the state level.”

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