Former Middlesex Mayor pleads guilty to stealing more than $75,000 from local campaigns

Former Middlesex Borough Mayor Ronald DiMura pleaded guilty to stealing more than $75,000 from local political campaigns, Attorney General Gurbir Grewal announced Thursday.

“DiMura exploited his position as mayor and his role as a local party leader for his personal gain, betraying borough residents and party members who placed their trust in him,” Grewal said. “I formed the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability to ensure, among other things, that public officials are held accountable if they abuse their power. This guilty plea reflects our commitment to that mission.”

The OPIA’s investigation found that DiMura, as treasurer of the Middlesex Borough Democratic Campaign Committee, siphoned roughly $190,000 in campaign funds into a charity he ran between January 2013 and June 2019.

A small portion of those funds was used for charitable purposes, but most of it was moved into DiMura’s personal account or a business account he controlled, authorities said.

Separately, the former mayor stole more than $75,000 from individual investors, promising them a great return on investment. Instead, he deposited the money into his own account, paying back almost nothing to the investors.

He also failed to report a $10,000 donation to a local charity made by a developer with contracts in the borough.

“DiMura’s thefts were all the more egregious because he used a local charity to hide his actions,” said OPIA Director Thomas Eicher.  “With this guilty plea, calling for a substantial prison sentence, we send a strong message that we expect honesty and integrity from our public officials in New Jersey, and those who act corruptly will face serious consequences.”

Under the plea agreement, authorities will recommend DiMura, 64, serve seven years in prison, be barred from holding public office or employment in the state, pay $83,372 in restitution and give back the remainder of the stolen money.