Rahway No – Bid Contracts Violated State Ethics Laws

For Immediate Release

Rahway Republican Committee

Contact: Pat Casio, Municipal Chairman

732-388-7671

 The Rahway Republican Committee filed an ethics complaint on Wednesday, October 10, 2007,  requesting the NJ Division of Local Government/ Local Finance Board investigate the actions of Rahway business administrator Peter Pelissier and his consulting firm Northeast Redevelopment Consultants 

The Rahway GOP complaint  says  7 of the Provisions in NJ State ethics laws NJSA40A:9-22.5  were violated by the Rahway Business Administrator on numerous occasions and the no bid contracts he received are clearly against State Statutes. This is in addition to his current problems with State on NJ Public Employees Pension Fund. All public officials take an oath to follow the laws of this State and behavior like Mr. Pelissier's is a slap in the face to every honest and hard working current and retired City employee in Rahway. 

We are extremely disappointed in the Democrat Controlled City Council after several calls by the Rahway GOP asking them to investigate this matter. .Mayor Jimmy Kennedy and his machine have circled the wagons and the Democrats on the Rahway City Council have shown no back bone by remaining silent on this serious betrayal of the public trust.  In January of this year, they rehired Mr. Pelissier, at huge increase in salary, under the direction of Rahway Mayor Jimmy Kennedy. Mr. Pelissier is also the Redevelopment Board Director making $130,000.00 at both positions, for a total of $260,000.00. His salary ranks him in the top 10% of salaries of government officials in the State of NJ. 

The Citizens of Rahway were also embarrassed by the statements made by Mayor Kennedy claiming that the State Pension Fund is at fault. The State of NJ Pension System is a retirement savings for thousands of local employees and is under tremendous pressure to maintain solvency. How can the Mayor of Rahway have the audacity to defend his Business Administrator receiving $360,000.00 in State Pension benefits he wasn’t entitled to?  Mayor Kennedy also needs to be reminded that the Rahway tax payers are not a private piggy bank to be raided every time a crony of his needs a job.  We urge the State of NJ to fully investigate this case because the tax payers deserve nothing less then a full disclosure of the facts in this matter. 

#######

See Letter

Patrick J. Cassio                                                                                   October 10th 2007

Rahway, NJ. 07065

Department of Community of Affairs

Local Finance Board

To the Chairman of the Board

Attn: David Nenno

                                              I am writing to make an official ethics complaint and to notify the board of certain activities of the Rahway Business Administrator and Director of Redevelopment Mr. Peter Pelissier.

I cite the following NJ State ethics violations I believe to have been violated by Mr.Pelisseir since October of 2002 to the  present. NJSA40A:9-22.5 sections A, B, C, D, E, F, and G.H & K.

I am also enclosing an article by the Star Ledger that reported the dates and examples of ethical violations by the firm North East Redevelopment Consultants owned and operated by Mr.Pelissier.

Mr.Pelissier was recently cited by the NJ State pension system for violations of collecting a State pension while still working at the same position.

I further charge the mere holding of two current positions held by Mr.Pelissier as the Rahway Business Administrator a paid full time position, and Director of the Rahway Redevelopment Board, also a paid full time position, constitute a  serious conflict to the satisfactory performance of his duties in both areas

I also request that the Local Finance Board investigate all contracts, property purchases, and clients of North East Redevelopment Consultants, included in the Rahway Redevelopment zone and the conduct of any other Rahway officials who granted contracts to this firm all with out any competive bidding.

             In my judgment all of this activity is a serious violation of the public trust, the ethical standards of local government, and the manipulation of the system by a public official for personal gain.   I welcome any assistance I can provide in the investigation of these matters,

Sincerely,

Patrick J. Cassio

cc: Joseph V. Doria Jr:

cc: James Noble Chief Special Prosecutions Divisions US Attorney’s office