A member of the Regular Republican Club of Lakewood is asking a judge to sort out a problem after Township Committee candidate Yaakov Wenger alleged that the club’s president, Craig Theibault, doesn’t live in town anymore.
In a court filing, Wenger claims that Theibault sold his Lakewood residence in November 2023 and purchased a new home in Manasquan. Theibault was asked about his residency at a February meeting of the club and admitted to living in Monmouth County, Wenger alleges. He also promised to “step aside” as president but never did, retaining financial records and bank accounts.
“As a result, the Regular Republican Club does not accurately represent the views of the voters,” the lawsuit states.
There are published reports that Theibault resigned in February.
Until a judge hears the case, the Regular Republican Club can’t conduct business in advance of the next election.
Wenger, the publisher of The (Lakewood) Shopper, wants a judge to appoint a receiver or conservator to “ensure the integrity of its finances and governance.”
“Many of local Republican club decision makers are not local residents,” Wenger told the New Jersey Globe.
As the official Republican Club, the group votes to award organization lines at the Ocean GOP convention.
The lawsuit was filed on April 3 in the civil division and then immediately moved to chancery.
Wenger’s attorney, Larry Loigman, filed an order to show cause on April 4, but no court date has been scheduled.