ECONOMIC CRISIS BRINGS HEIGHTENED SCRUTINY TO BURLINGTON GOP CAMPAIGN LOAN SCHEME

(Mount Laurel):           Burlington County Democratic Candidates Chris Brown and Mary Anne Reinhart today called on Burlington County Freeholder Director Fenton and Freeholder Jordan to stand up for the taxpayers of Burlington County and reject the GOP personal loan scheme now known as the "Paulsen's 20."  (http://www.paulsens20.com/)

Earlier this summer, the Democratic team unveiled a video exposing a gross misuse by Republicans of tax dollars.  The video, entitled "Paulsen's 20 Investment Team" was made public on the Democrats' website http://www.burlcodems.com/.  In shocking and documented, quantifiable detail, "Paulsen's 20" revealed an elaborate scheme of the worst imaginable type of pay to play financing.

In just the past year alone, 20 connected Republican insiders, known now as "Paulsen's 20 Republican Investment Team" have each personally guaranteed $30,000 in campaign loans to the Burlington County GOP.  Every single one of those contributors has received taxpayer funded jobs, appointments or contracts in Burlington County.

Republican State Senator Diane Allen criticized the process and said that she and others have been pressured to participate in the scheme.  "...there was an enormous pressure on me and I know others have felt the same."  Allen, who fired the County Party Treasurer Charles Lambiase from her campaign no longer participates in the scheme and has sharply rebuked Glenn Paulsen and the organization for their tactics.

"Fenton just can't have it both ways," said Chris Brown.  "You can't put your hand on residents shoulders and say you understand how these tough economic times are affecting them while collecting checks from party leaders you've enriched with the other hand.  You don't seem to understand that it's insulting to taxpayers to raise their taxes and cut their services so you can reward your campaign contributors."

"The Burlington County Republican Machine continues to operate with total contempt and disregard for the residents and taxpayers it purports to serve," said Democratic Party Chairman Rick Perr.  "These same 20 loan guarantors have combined to make over $30 million dollars in government salaries, contracts, billings and pension credits in just the last few years alone."

The loans were issued in late October, 2007 and in the spring of this year to help fund the Burlington County GOP campaigns.  On September 4th, the Philadelphia Inquirer wrote a detailed article describing how this activity has only occurred in Burlington County.  Which means that of the 42 county party organizations in the state of New Jersey, only the Burlington GOP has engaged in this practice.

"You have to ask yourself a very simple question," said Perr.  "With our nation in the midst of arguably the worst economic conditions since the Great Depression, with inflation at its highest rate in 17 years, gas prices nearly $4 per gallon, unemployment rising, a mortgage crisis, credit drying up and banks going belly up why would these 20 individuals personally guarantee up to $30,000 in loans to the Burlington County GOP?  The answer is because the dividends are enormous and the unsuspecting taxpayers of Burlington County are financing this scheme."

Paulsen's 20 Republican Investment Team

http://www.burlcodems.com/

Have you heard of the Paulsen's 20 Republican Investment Team?

Probably Not but you should have!

They are not found on the Stock Market or in the Wall Street Journal.

No, they are right here in Burlington County.

Their investments...political campaigns.

Their dividends - -  your tax dollars!

According to the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission, this group finances Burlington County Republican campaigns by personally guaranteeing hundreds of thousands of dollars each election cycle.

 Rarely does the public get to see how one of the most powerful...  political organizations raises capital.

LET'S TAKE A LOOK

Public financial disclosures reveal that the Paulsen's 20 Investment Team is comprised of the Burlington County Republican elite.

Since 2006 alone, the members of the group earned more than $30 million dollars in TAXPAYER FUNDED government contracts, billings, salaries and pension credits.

So, while your taxes rise, gas prices increase and our economy falters, this group of Republican Insiders is funding elections.

The leader of the group is Glenn Paulsen.

Paulsen is the former Chairman of the Burlington County Republicans.

Political insiders declare that his influence over Burlington County Government is stronger than ever...

And his ties are even closer.

How close?

His handpicked successor is his next door neighbor.

An expose in the Asbury Park Press shortly before Paulsen's mysterious resignation three years ago amidst an AG probe cast him as a cut throat political boss.

According to the article Paulsen collects campaign contributions from firms seeking government contracts or jobs.

His friend, former Republican Evesham Mayor Gus Tamburro compared Paulsen to the portrayal of Pharaoh Ramses in "The Ten Commandments

Ramses power was so great, he would famously declare: "So let it be written, so let it be done."

"Glenn's like that," Tamburro said. "I wouldn't want to cross him."

Paulsen is a partner at Capehart & Scatchard a politically connected law firm.

Since 2006 Capehart & Scatchard received more than $9 million in government contracts.

In 2007, over $2 million dollars of these contracts came from entities controlled by Paulsen and the Republicans.

These include over $550,000 from the Burlington County Bridge Commission and close to $600,000 from entities directly controlled by the all- Republican Burlington County Freeholder Board.

Figures for 2006 were not filed as required by State Law.

Paulsen is joined by fellow Capehart attorneys Tony Drollas and Brian Kowalski.

These three individuals have combined to personally guarantee over $90,000 in loans to the Burlington County Republicans IN JUST THE PAST 10 MONTHS!

For those keeping score at home, that is $90,000 in loans - Well over $2 million in governmental contracts.  If only your 401K plans were that lucrative!

Let's take a closer look at Tony Drollas.

His wife Grannia Drollas has served as a fundraising consultant for the party.  She was paid over $17,000.

In 2007, her pay from the party stopped.  She was however, put on the payroll of the 8th District Republican Legislators.

Just to recap - Tony Drollas works for Capehart & Scatchard, which does millions of dollars in Burlington County legal work.  He signs a loan guaranteeing hundreds of thousands of dollars to the Republican Party.  His wife gets put on a taxpayer funded Legislative payroll.

Next we have Eric and John Aloi - executives at EJA Associates, where Eric serves as the President.

Since 2006 EJA Associates have received over $24 million in government contracts.

They have guaranteed over $60,000 in loans in the same time frame.

$60,000 in loans - $24 million in billing.

I guess government pays more than lotto

Next on the list is former State Senator Martha Bark.

According to published reports, Martha Bark was the subject of an Attorney General Investigation resulting from two alleged no-show jobs

These include one that paid her nearly a quarter of a million dollars at the bridge commission.  This is on top of her Legislative salary.

The investigation, said to be on going has already resulted in records at various Burlington County agencies being subpoenaed.

Bark has guaranteed over $30,000 in loans to the Burlington County Republicans since 2007.

Her legislative office also paid tens of thousands of dollars in taxpayer dollars to other members of "Paulsen's 20."

Next we have Chris Baxter, a lawyer who has also guaranteed over 30,000 in loans.

On Sunday, August 3rd, Baxter was highlighted in an investigative report in the Burlington County Times.

According to the article, Baxter has been paid nearly a quarter of a million dollars to provide online reports and research to the Board of Social Services.

Two former Board members, one a former high-ranking official with the county Republican Party and the other the chief of staff to Senator Diane Allen said the agency has not received commensurate work for its money and that their protests about the attorney fees were ignored.

These commissioners also noted that they were informed by GOP officials that Baxter's salary went back to the Burlington GOP to fund their campaigns.

In 2007, Baxter had another 5 taxpayer funded jobs, equaling more than $100,000 in salary...

Baxter still finds time to practice law at his own private law firm - That's 5 government contracts, one law firm, and $30,000 in campaign loans.

Glen Beebe.  In 2006 Beebe was a Legislative aide making less than $65,000.  In 2007, his salary increased to over $95,000.  He has guaranteed over $30,000 in loans to the party in this time frame.

Jim Bristow, the renowned uber Boss of Cinnaminson Republican politics.

Bristow claims to be self employed on his loan disclosure statement.

Yet, his biography on the Burlington County website states he is employed by the Benefits Consulting Group.

As does the financial disclosure forms of Freeholder Joe Donnelly - FROM CINNAMINSON

Bristow also failed to disclose the fact he makes an additional $21,250 working for the County Board of Elections - tacking to his 21 years in the pension system.

Former Freeholder Vince Farias is part of this Republican Investment group.

Farias' daughter - Freeholder Stacey Jordan, was handed her freeholder seat by the Burlington County Republican party earlier this year in a process that her party's own former vice chair called CORRUPT.

I guess membership does have its privileges.

William Naulty -was a Legislative Aide in the 8th District for Martha Bark and Fran Bodine.  While his disclosure form says he retired, the New Jersey Pension records tell a different story.

Martha Bark put Naulty on her Legislative payroll in 2007 for a salary of $10,000.  I guess if you work for Martha you can collect a salary, but say you are retired.

Richard Strobel is the chief Counsel to the Burlington County Board of Social Services.    The same Board under fire for paying Chris Baxter and 5 other part time attorneys while cutting transportation to seniors.

While Strobel collects over $120,000 a year in salary, he has guaranteed over $30,000 in loans.

Charlie Lambiase, claims that he is a self employed CPA.  He is also the treasurer of the Burlington County Republicans and most of their candidates.

Burlington County also seems to be one of his Lambiase's biggest clients.

Since 2005 he has received:

$26,900 in salary from the Burlco GOP

$44,000 in salary from Martha Bark's Legislative Office.

And $29,000 in billing to Burlington County.

Other members of the "Paulsen's 20" Republican Investment group are:

-      Former Assemblyman and Mt. Laurel Mayor Larry Chatzidakis.

-      State Senator Phil Haines

-      Assemblywoman Dawn Addiego

-      Current  Chairman Bill Layton

-      Tony Mahon - an Insurance Executive from AJM Associates

-      Scott Rudder - Assemblyman and former Mayor of Medford

-      Gary Woodend - Councilman in Medford Lakes, Attorney and probably not surprisingly- a Candidate for County Clerk - a taxpayer funded job that pays over $100,000 a year.

The purpose of this video is not to accuse anyone of any wrong doing.  Former Paulsen Investments donor Bob Stears already did that in Federal Court.

While entering a guilty plea for his actions which saw him steal $2.7 million at the Burlington Bridge Commission, he offered details how he funneled money back to political campaigns.

Stears stated he was expected to donate as much as $4000 a month in political contributions in exchange for $2 million in contracts.

"I got sucked into a group of corrupt people," said Stears.

These sentiments where confirmed by former Vice Chairwoman of the Burlington County Republican's Dawn Lacy.  She resigned her post with the following quote: "Given the lack of moral judgment and corruption issues surrounding the Party, I no longer wish to be associated with this current leadership group and therefore will not seek another term as Vice Chair of our county organization," Lacy wrote in an e-mail.

The Burlington County Republican Party has run campaigns that have resulted in lawsuits, a rebuke by a Federal judge, been criticized by editorial boards across the state and even scoffed at by the former Chair of the Republican Chairs.

It is no wonder taxes and spending keep increasing in Burlington County.

These investors don't need Wall Street, they just need High Street.

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