Rep. Josh Gottheimer (D-Wyckoff) is telling Sussex County Commissioner Bill Hayden, embattled in a Stolen Valor Scandal after allegedly lying about his military service, to pack his bag.
“After sacrificing so much, our veterans deserve respect and recognition for their service to our great country,” said Gottheimer, who represents part of Sussex County in the legislature. “That’s why what Bill Hayden did is particularly reprehensible and disgusting. I’m calling for his immediate resignation and believe it’s only right he formally apologizes to our nation’s great veterans.”
Gottheimer joins State Sen. Parker Space (R-Wantage), Assemblywoman Dawn Fantasia (R-Franklin), Assemblyman Mike Inganamort (R-Chester), First Lady Tammy Murphy, and the Sussex County Democratic and Republican leadership in telling Hayden to resign his public office.
Hayden, who claimed to be a Navy SEAL involved in the assassination of drug kingpin Pablo Escobar, today declined to say which branch of the military he served in and to provide specifics on his dates of service.