Republican freeholder candidates target Wallace in Gloucester

Gloucester County Freeholder Warren Wallace refused to discuss legal action he has taken against UMDNJ, despite Republican Freeholder candidates Phyllis Scapellato and Larry Wallace questioning his timing in filing a lawsuit against his former employer.

In his May 28 lawsuit, Wallace claims he was a victim of racial discrimination when UMDNJ fired him two years ago as a dean at the school’s Stratford campus.

The Republicans say Wallace’s relations with disgraced former state Sen. Wayne Bryant (D-Camden) have more to do with the Democratic incumbent’s UMDNJ troubles.

"Simply amazing," Scapellato said. "He waits until he’s up for re-election to file a bogus lawsuit to take the attention away from his wrongdoings. Warren Wallace filed this suit as an election year stunt to hide from his connections to Wayne Bryant."

Larry Wallace added, "Apparently the freeholder thinks we all have short memories. On May 19, 2006 the New York Times clearly spelled out a good reason for him to be fired. The paper reported, ‘The action came one day after F.B.I. agents raided the state university's 366-student Stratford campus to stop the shredding of documents in the office of Warren S. Wallace,’ and that action was a subpoena."

Without addressing the specifics of Wallace’s and Scapellato’s press release hit, Freeholder Wallace issued a statement in response.

"I am saddened that the Republican opponents for Gloucester County freeholder have made the decision to campaign by engaging in character assassination by using personal attack tactics and quoting questionable resources and/or second hand information," said the three-term freeholder running for re-election.

Wallace cited the departure from the freeholder race of Larry Wallace-Scapellato running mate Frank Stellaccio, whom the freeholder contended could not be part of the GOP’s negative campaign maneuvers.

"I congratulate Frank Stellaccio in recognizing the sinisterness of this strategy in electing not to continue," Wallace said. "My hat’s off to you, Mr. Stellaccio."