Morris GOP still has money problems

Morris County Republicans have raised $139,045 this year and spent $106,889 through September 30, according to a report filed with the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission.

The GOP raised $56,975 since July 1, following the election in June of a new county chairman, Ronald DeFilippis.  Morris Republicans have cash-on-hand of $30,412 and no debt.

The organization reported that Morris County Republican repaid DeFilippis a $10,000 loan he made last year.

About two-thirds of the total raised by DeFilippis comes from a single $37,000 donation by Bob Hugin for U.S. Senate.  Hugin is pumping $37,000 into most county Republican organizations as a way of funding local field operations.

The problem for Hugin is that DeFilippis used some of that money to repay himself.

With the exception of a $400 payment to Monica Brinson for “door-knocking” and $1,500 for consulting services from Mike Ward, the Morris County Republican Committee has spent no money on direct voter contact or in a paid GOTV program.

The party reports $27,786 in in-kind contributions, including a television and sign from State Sen. Joseph Pennacchio (R-Montville), and furniture, bus rentals, refreshments and tickets for a Yankee Stadium fundraiser from Craig Heard, the party’s finance chairman.

They also reported costs associated with their move into a new party headquarters.

The speaker at a recent GOP fundraiser, Benghazi hero Kris Paronto, received a $5,000 fee – considerably less the $30,000 they paid Fox News personality Greg Gutfeld earlier this year.