| | | | |  | | By Matt Friedman | Good Wednesday morning! I am pleased to offer you a glimpse into one of the dark money groups tied to Sean Caddle, the Democratic political operative who pleaded guilty to hiring hit men to kill his former associate. Here's what I found, based on some emails I obtained: The general co-counsel for the Elizabeth Board of Education, Jonathan Williams, raised money for a dark money group that then channeled the money into a super PAC that helped elect — you guessed it — members of the Elizabeth Board of Education. The emails show he delivered the checks to Caddle's underlings. The donors are mostly law firms, including some of the most prominent in the state. And — surprise! — almost every donor has or had a contract with the Elizabeth Board of Education. There are too many details to go into here. And this is just a peek behind the curtain. This is just one of several dark money groups Caddle had a hand in. And there's no reason to believe this is unique to Caddle. Let's get real. Dark money is a huge problem. Money will always flow in politics, as Ray Lesniak points out in the quote of the day below. Patronage will likely always be part of our political system. But there's a big difference between being able to see it and understand how the money changes hands versus being kept in the dark by so-called "non-profits" that are really just political organizations operating under a thin legal cover. Read more about it here. DAYS SINCE MURPHY REFUSED TO SAY WHETHER HIS WIFE'S NON-PROFIT SHOULD DISCLOSE DONORS: 50 QUOTE OF THE DAY: "Where are you supposed to raise money from? People who don't support you? … That's what politics is all about. There's no way to deny that. This isn't an unusual occurrence. This has happened every day for centuries." — Former state Sen. Raymond Lesniak (D-Union) on the dark money donations HAPPY BIRTHDAY — R&J's Scott Marioni, political operative Bill Killion, McCarter & English's Guillermo Artiles, Statesides Cristina Pinzon TIPS? FEEDBACK? HATE MAIL? Email me at mfriedman@politico.com |  | WHAT TRENTON MADE | |
HE'S NOT THE SAME MAN HE'S BEEN THIS PAST 73 YEARS — "Hitman who killed on orders from N.J. political operative gets 8 years for Connecticut robbery," by NJ Advance Media's Joe Atmonavage: "A career criminal who admitted killing in 2014 in a murder-for-hire scheme orchestrated by a prominent New Jersey political operative was sentenced Tuesday to 96 months in federal prison in an unrelated bank robbery that year in Connecticut. U.S. District Judge Jeffrey A. Meyer sentenced George Bratsenis, 73, to eight years in prison during a hearing in a New Haven, Conn. federal court after Bratsenis pleaded guilty in 2019 to committing the armed bank robbery in Connecticut, his home state. In handing down the sentence, Meyer said he was not considering the 'elephant in the room,' alluding to Bratsenis' guilty plea last month in Newark federal court for killing a Jersey City man in 2014 for Sean Caddle, a prominent Garden State political operative. ... Before sentencing, the Stamford native, who has prostate cancer, addressed the court, telling the judge: 'I'm not the same man I was 91 months ago. ...I turned my life around because I had a rude awakening with this cancer.'"
THERE'S A CHANCE HE CAN MAKE IT NOW — " Feeling mimself! Chris Christie is rocking out to 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' while emailing photos of his brand new velcro sneakers to all his Republican friends," by Clickhole: "If you're tired of being endlessly bombarded with depressing political news, here's an encouraging story involving a former lawmaker that'll give you some much-needed respite from all the crass partisan bickering and bureaucratic chaos: Chris Christie is rocking out to 'I Believe In A Thing Called Love' while emailing photos of his new velcro sneakers to all his Republican friends. So cool! The former governor of New Jersey is feeling good as hell right now, and his positivity is undeniably infectious!" MOTHER TERESA — Ruiz unveils $350M child care package that could 'create the framework for other states to copy', by POLITICO's Daniel Han: Senate Majority Leader Teresa Ruiz unveiled a sweeping package of child care bills Tuesday morning designed to expand access and make it easier for providers and employers to offer such services. The bills, which Ruiz said total "around $350 million," would use tax incentives, restructure payment methods and expand subsidies to receive child care, among other initiatives. Ruiz said the effort could "create the framework for other states to copy." In an earlier interview with POLITICO, Ruiz, a Democrat from Essex County, said policy agenda will focus on the needs of women, children and people of color. —Lawmakers promise to restore legislative approval of federal funds —"New Jersey's new sex education curriculum draws criticism from some parents " —Steinberg: "March, 2022: The month racism became the core GOP message: Nationally and in NJ" —"The O'Toole Chronicles: Citizen legislator" —" Scutari will help South Jersey super PAC raise money"
| | | | DON'T MISS ANYTHING FROM THE 2022 MILKEN INSTITUTE GLOBAL CONFERENCE: POLITICO is excited to partner with the Milken Institute to produce a special edition "Global Insider" newsletter featuring exclusive coverage and insights from the 25th annual Global Conference. This year's event, May 1-4, brings together more than 3,000 of the world's most influential leaders, including 700+ speakers representing more than 80 countries. "Celebrating the Power of Connection" is this year's theme, setting the stage to connect influencers with the resources to change the world with leading experts and thinkers whose insight and creativity can implement that change. Whether you're attending in person or following along from somewhere else in the world, keep up with this year's conference with POLITICO's special edition "Global Insider" so you don't miss a beat. Subscribe today. | | | | | | | BIDEN TIME | |
APRIL SHOWERS FOR MATT MOWERS — "Trump aide seeking New Hampshire House seat voted in 2 states in 2016 ", by The AP: " A former Trump administration official now running for Congress in New Hampshire voted twice during the 2016 primary election season, potentially violating federal voting law and leaving him at odds with the Republican Party's intense focus on 'election integrity.' Matt Mowers, a leading Republican primary candidate looking to unseat Democratic Rep. Chris Pappas, cast an absentee ballot in New Hampshire's 2016 presidential primary, voting records show. At the time, Mowers served as the director of former New Jersey Gov. Chris Christie's presidential campaign in the pivotal early voting state. Four months later, after Christie's bid fizzled, Mowers cast another ballot in New Jersey's Republican presidential primary, using his parents' address to re-register in his home state, documents The Associated Press obtained through a public records request show. Legal experts say Mowers' actions could violate a federal law that prohibits 'voting more than once' in 'any general, special, or primary election.' That includes casting a ballot in separate jurisdictions 'for an election to the same candidacy or office.' It also puts Mowers, who was a senior adviser in Donald Trump's administration and later held a State Department post, in an awkward spot at a time when much of his party has embraced the former president's lies about a stolen 2020 election and has pushed for restrictive new election laws."
NATO VOTE — New Jersey Reps. Chris Smith and Jeff Van Drew were among 63 House Republicans to vote against a non-binding resolution "to uphold the founding democratic principles of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization and establish a Center for Democratic Resilience within the headquarters of the North Atlantic Treaty Organization." 2022 — "Candidates rush to run in midterm primaries," by NJ Spotlight News' Colleen O'Dea: "The highest number of congressional candidates since the so-called Watergate election in 1974 have filed for the June primary, drawn by new districts and a belief that Democratic incumbents will be vulnerable in this midterm election year. Sixty-three people — 41 Republicans and 22 Democrats — filed petitions to run in the June 7 primaries to win their parties' nominations in the state's 12 congressional districts as of the 4 p.m. Monday filing deadline. In 1974, 70 candidates were running in the state's 15 congressional districts. Ben Dworkin, director of the Rowan Institute for Public Policy and Citizenship, said that the way redistricting reshaped congressional lines and the fact that this is a midterm election have emboldened a number of people to seek office this year. 'It's not surprising that there are lots of interesting candidates,' he said. 'People jump in when they think they have a good chance.'" THE 'FRIENDS OF GARTH' CANDIDATE SHOULD RUN IN WAYNE — "Catchy as catch can: Slogans on the primary ballot ," by InsiderNJ's Fred Snowflack : "Monday's filing deadline for congressional candidates brought forth not only dozens of candidates, but also a number of creative, catchy or perhaps downright kooky ballot slogans. Let's start with Robert Shapiro of Lakewood who filed to challenge incumbent Republican Chris Smith in CD-4. He's the fellow with the 'Let's Go Brand*n – FJB' slogan. He, clearly, is not a subtle guy; not hard to figure out what 'FJB' means … Moving along to CD-10, a staunchly Democratic district represented by Donald Payne, we find Republican Garth Stewart of Jersey City. His ballot slogan is FOG. Huh? As he explains, that stands for 'Friends of Garth.'" —"Wildlife experts meet in Long Branch, push 'most important' bill in 50 years" —" Gottheimer will go without a Democratic primary challenger in 2022" | | LOCAL | |
THE WAR ON TERROR — "Long Branch school board member, 88, faces 'terroristic threats' charge," by The Asbury Park Press' Dan Radel: "Board of Education member Avery W. Grant is facing a court date this month for allegedly making terroristic threats while at a medical office. Grant, 88, who is also a Vietnam veteran and has run for mayor twice, is scheduled to appear in Ocean Township Municipal Court on April 26. He has pled not guilty … Honecker said the person he accompanied did not want Grant to leave her side. Grant and the medical office staff then exchanged some words, which resulted in the police being called and arresting Grant. 'The allegations are exaggerated and we look forward to having our side heard in court on April 26,' Honecker said."
DON'T LET'S STAR — "'I'm not taking it down': North Haledon mayor refuses order to remove High Mountain star," by The Record's Philip DeVencentis: "A partial owner of High Mountain Park Preserve has ordered the borough to take down the jumbo star that officials erected at the summit as a symbol of hope during the COVID-19 pandemic. But Mayor Randy George is outright refusing to move the 25-foot decoration … And in another act of chutzpah, he has begun to circulate a petition to keep it atop the mountain. As of Monday, about 50 people had signed the document at the library and borough hall. 'I'm not taking it down,' the mayor said. 'It's not going to happen — I'm not even going to attempt to do it.' MR. WILSON FACES A NEW MENACE — "Amid effort to oust him, N.J. police director touts progress, says he's a political pawn," by NJ Advance Media's Kevin Shea: "Steve Wilson has been the police director in Trenton for about nine months, and says he's in the midst of a host of community outreach and crime strategies that cannot be seen right away in crime statistics. He's working on getting more school resource officers in city schools, connecting with local civic organizations and clergy, bringing in outside help from county, state and federal law enforcement partners, and engaging youths in the Police Explorers program he started … The list goes on, Wilson told NJ Advance Media Monday morning, four days after the city council president, Kathy McBride, publicly called for him to step down. West Ward Councilwoman Robin Vaughn has also called for Wilson to resign (as well as others), and the director's job could be at stake Tuesday evening at the council meeting, where he has been summoned to appear under a Rice notice — an official notice that one's public employment job is being discussed for possible discipline or termination." CORRECTIONS — "Prison inmate's suit alleges planned assault by corrections officer ," by The Courier-Post's Jim Walsh: "An inmate's lawsuit claims he was the victim of a planned assault by a corrections officer at a South Jersey prison, and that officers then joined in the attack, kicking and punching him while shouting racial slurs. Joseph McKinney suffered a broken bone near his eye, facial wounds and other injuries during the incident at South Woods State Prison in Bridgeton, the suit asserts. It contends McKinney, then 29, was the victim of a 'ploy' to place him in an area where he could be assaulted away from the view of surveillance cameras." —"Passaic GOP candidate doesn't meet residency requirement, Democrats say" —Snowflack: "The tiffs of Dover" —" Plainfield Housing Authority pledges quick fixes after feds cite dozens of bad contracts" "'It's about respect' – The Somerset GOP career of Janet Linnus" —"Somerset County may be getting its first medical marijuana dispensary. Here's where"
| | | | INTRODUCING DIGITAL FUTURE DAILY - OUR MORNING TECHNOLOGY NEWSLETTER, RE-IMAGINED: Technology is always evolving, and our new tech-obsessed newsletter is too! Digital Future Daily unlocks the most important stories determining the future of technology, from Washington to Silicon Valley and innovation power centers around the world. Readers get an in-depth look at how the next wave of tech will reshape civic and political life, including activism, fundraising, lobbying and legislating. Go inside the minds of the biggest tech players, policymakers and regulators to learn how their decisions affect our lives. Don't miss out, subscribe today. | | | | | | | EVERYTHING ELSE | |
NURSING HOMES — "'Long, lonely, painful' death: Widow of man who froze to death sues nursing home," by The Daily Record's Kyle Morel: "The widow of a man who froze to death overnight after he walked out of his nursing home has filed a lawsuit against the facility, alleging that its 'outrageous' negligence and oversight in care led to his death. Dorothy Eschenbach filed the wrongful death suit last week against CareOne at Parsippany and its neighboring facility, CareOne at Morris, on behalf of her husband, John, 79. His body was found on the morning of Feb. 19 after he was missing for the entire night, in a wooded lot near Route 80, according to reports."
'I'LL BE THERE FOR YOUKRAINE' — "Murphys join forces with Bon Jovi for Ukraine aid," by New Jersey Globe's Joey Fox: "Gov. Phil Murphy announced [Tuesday] that he and First Lady Tammy Murphy will team up with singer-songwriter Jon Bon Jovi and his wife, Dorothea, to launch a fundraising effort for Ukrainians displaced by the ongoing war with Russia … The initiative has an aim of raising a total of $2 million dollars towards the food-security nonprofit World Central Kitchen (WCK): $1 million from donors matched dollar-for-dollar by a coalition of eight sponsors, including an initial $500,000 'motivational pledge' provided by the Bon Jovis. Born and raised in Perth Amboy, Jon Bon Jovi is a longtime supporter and ally of the Murphys." —"Guy Fieri fed hundreds of New Jersey veterans in Middletown, NJ" —" 'We weren't loud enough': Howell parents preach advocacy after death of son with autism"
| | | | Follow us on Twitter | | | | Subscribe to the POLITICO Playbook family Playbook | Playbook PM | California Playbook | Florida Playbook | Illinois Playbook | Massachusetts Playbook | New Jersey Playbook | New York Playbook | Ottawa Playbook | Brussels Playbook | London Playbook View all our political and policy newsletters | | Follow us | | | | |
No comments:
Post a Comment