In a text message exchange earlier this afternoon, the New Jersey Globe asked embattled Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden about the Stolen Valor Scandal and allegations that his military service was falsified.
Hayden, who did not respond to a text message and telephone call on Wednesday, initiated a text chain today with an attack on U.S. Senate candidate Tammy Murphy; earlier today, she had called for his resignation.
But Hayden declined to answer simple questions regarding the Stolen Valor Scandal, including what branch of the military he served in and the dates of his service.
“I will have to refer these questions to my attorney, who’s handling a criminal complaint regarding this as well as a civil matter,” Hayden said.
He declined to identify his attorney.
Records show that Hayden took a veterans exemption on his taxes.
Sussex County GOP Chairman Joseph LaBarbera and the county Republican organization, Sussex County Democratic Chair Zoe Heath, State Sen. Parker Space (R-Wantage), Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Franklin), Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R-Chester) and First Lady Tammy Murphy called for Hayden’s resignation today.