Wisniewski Touts Ethics Reform While Keeping Tainted Campaign Contributions

KOTHARI & PIATKOWSKI CALL ON WISNIEWSKI TO RETURN THE CASH

Woodbridge, NJ- Peter Kothari and Richard Piatkowski, the Republican reform team running in the 19^th Legislative District, today challenged Assemblyman John Wisniewski to reconcile his rhetoric on ethics reform and clean elections with his decision to keep thousands of dollars in tainted contributions from legislators who were found guilty of corruption or resigned in disgrace after being charged with criminal misconduct.

"How someone can boast that he sponsored ethics reform legislation, as watered down as it was, and then keep money from convicted felons reeks of hypocrisy," said Kothari.

"As one Democratic ally after another was sent to prison for graft and corruption, not once did Wisniewski consider returning any of the thousands of dollars he took from them over the years," added Piatkowski.

"How can you pretend to be a crusader for clean government and keep dirty money from corrupt politicians?" Piatkowski asked.

According to records on file with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), Wisniewski accepted at least $5,500 from legislators who were subsequently charged and/or found guilty of a criminal wrongdoing.

"Every dime should be returned or given to charity," said Kothari. "It's never too late to do the right thing."

ELEC records show Wisniewski took:

• $2,500 from former state Senator Wayne Bryant of Camden County who was sentenced in July to four years in prison following his conviction on corruption charges.

• $500 from former, and recently deceased, Assemblyman Anthony Impreveduto of Hudson County who was forced to resign, fined $10,000 and placed on five years' probation after pleading guilty to using campaign funds for income taxes, a daughter's wedding and sports memorabilia.

• $2,000 from New Directions, a political action committee controlled by former state Senator John Lynch of Middlesex County who was released from a federal prison in June and returned to New Jersey to serve the remainder of his corruption sentence in a halfway house. Lynch was sentenced in 2006 to 39 months in prison for kickbacks and mail fraud.

• $500 from former Assemblyman Neil Cohen of Union County who was indicted last year for official misconduct, reproduction of child pornography, distribution of child pornography and possession of child pornography.

# # #