Roselle mayor wants judge to freeze campaign account of primary foe until he files ELEC reports

Roselle Mayor Donald Shaw wants a Superior Court judge to freeze the campaign account of his Democratic primary opponent, Jamel Holley, for not filing campaign finance reports detailing his donors or expenditures with the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

And Shaw wants a judge to stop shadowy perennial candidate Lisa McCormick or her controversial life partner, James Devine, as well as their “alter ego,” CMD Media, from participating in the campaign until the courts can determine how Holley’s off-the-line mayoral bid is being funded and who is being paid.

Daniel Antonelli, an attorney for Shaw who filed the lawsuit on Friday evening, said the case “involves a blatant violation and blatant disregard of New Jersey’s election finance laws and of the policies.”

Holley, Devine, McCormick, and CMD Media “have operated as if the laws simply do not exist,” Antonelli said in his filing.   He warned that if  the Court doesn’t immediately require the filing of campaign finance reports, “any subsequent relief will simply be too late to protect the public: All of the critical activity is happening right now.”

Antonelli detailed campaign expenditures in his court filing.

Holley, a former assemblyman who is seeking a return to his old job as mayor, could be the favorite in his primary afhas told the New Jersey Globe that Devine has nothing to do with his campaign.

The primary is ten days away.  Records show that no reports have been filed.

“Only by granting the temporary restraints sought today can the residents of the Borough of Roselle be protected, and the State’s campaign finance laws can be respected,” Antonelli stated.  “Without injunctive relief, Holley will continue to operate in secret, keep the voters in the dark, and the election will be over.”

The lawsuit was assigned on Friday to Judge John Hudak, but it’s unlikely that he will hear the case.  Hudak was the Roselle Borough Attorney the last time Holley served as mayor and has close ties to Senate President Nicholas Scutari, who is supporting Shaw.

It’s not immediately clear when the court will consider the emergent challenge.  Hudak and Assignment Judge Lisa Miralles-Walsh or court staff have not responded to emails from the New Jersey Globe asking if a hearing will be held over the holiday weekend.

Waiting until Tuesday could allow a third of the time between now and the June 6 primary election to pass.

Stack brings his army to Union County

Senate Judiciary Committee Chairman Brian P. Stack brought hundreds of volunteers from Union City to Roselle and Plainfield today in support of Shaw and county committee candidates in Plainfield backed by Scutari, who is also the Union County Democratic Chairman.

In Plainfield, there is a fight over county committee seats that could threaten local political control for Mayor Adrian Mapp, a staunch Scutari ally.

“Brian Stack is more than just a respected leader within our Senate caucus.  He’s a trusted friend whose generosity is matched only by his ability to motivate his supporters,” Scutari said.  “I am truly grateful for Brian and each and every person who showed up on a holiday weekend to help bring home victory for our Democratic team on Column A.”