BARONI AND BECK PUSHING FOR PASSING OF SUSPENSION LEGISLATION

Trenton, NJ – Assemblyman Bill Baroni (R-Mercer/Middlesex) and Assemblywoman Jennifer Beck (R-Monmouth, Mercer) today called for passage of legislation that would suspend from office any indicted elected official. Baroni and Beck joined together in support of ACR-79.  This legislation will create a constitutional amendment suspending from office any indicted elected official and providing for temporary replacement.  The official will be required to forgo all compensation until charges are dismissed, the person is acquitted, or if the person is convicted.  Should they be acquitted or if charges are dismissed, the elected official would be restored to office with full compensation including what they are owed.  If the person is convicted, the office would be declared vacant and would be filled as provided by the Constitution or statutory law. “We owe it to people to restore the faith they have lost in their elected officials.  It is an obligation we need to fulfill,” said Baroni. “We cannot afford to have an ethical cloud linger over the Statehouse any longer.  With the public’s trust in their elected officials at an all time low, we need to take steps to eliminate any appearance of impropriety.  A basic component of restoring dignity and integrity to government begins by removing any indicted elected official from their position,” added Beck. The legislators are also calling on Senators Sharpe James and Wayne Bryant to recuse themselves from voting on any prosecutor or judgeship nominations for the remainder of their terms.    “Senators James and Bryant should have stepped down the moment they were both indicted.  Faced with a potential of voting for law enforcement appointments while under indictment common sense says the least they should do is recuse themselves from the votes,” said Baroni.  “This legislation will mandate the common sense that is sometimes lacking in New Jersey.” “Since September of last year, I have been pressing Senate leadership to take disciplinary action against Senator Bryant.  Unfortunately, my Senate colleagues have refused to act and have allowed Senator Bryant and Senator James to remain in their posts.  Their inaction forced us to find a legislative remedy to this very disturbing situation,” said Beck.  There are presently forty-two judicial vacancies including Superior, Tax, Administrative Law and Workers Compensation Courts.  Currently, there are six county prosecutorial vacancies.  Two of which are new pending nominations and four are up for retention.