US Attorney’s Office Asked To Investigate Bergen County Executive Office

Bergenfield Mayor, and Bergen County Executive candidate Norman Schmelz asked the United States Department of Justice to investigate the Bergen County Executive’s Office, including the Office of the Chief Financial Officer of Bergen County, for conspiring to use Federal Funds to aid in the reelection of Bergen County Executive Jim Tedesco.

In a lawsuit, filed on April 20, 2018, in Bergen County Superior Court, it is alleged that in violation of State Law, that a meeting was held in “late 2017” in which “ a meeting was called by the County for all Department heads in relation to the budget. At that meeting, the County CFO noted that it was an election year for the County Executive and therefore there needed to be a zero percent increase in the budget. In order to accomplish this, they decided to rely upon funding from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to partially fund the Sheriff’s Office.”

Mayor Schmelz, wrote, “If these allegations are true, then the public needs to know, who was involved, what was agreed upon, and how much taxpayer dollars are being used for political purposes.”

Schmelz continued, “The allegations are clear that Federal Tax dollars (and possibly state and local tax dollars as well) are being used for political purposes, instead of providing essential services in a proper manner.”

The letter continued, “It is inconceivable and outrageous that such illegal activities are taking place in the offices of the Bergen County Executive. Each person who had knowledge of such activities should immediately come forward, divulge what they know, and resign forthwith. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”

Schmelz concluded, “I ask that the Department of Justice investigate these allegations presented in a court of law, that if true contain a clear and compelling picture of illegality at the highest levels of government. This breach of trust, is devastating to hard working taxpayers who demand their tax dollar be spent on essential government services, not for political agendas as is alleged.”

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United State Attorney Craig Carpenito

U.S. Attorney’s Office for the District of New Jersey

970 Broad Street, 7th Floor

Newark, NJ 07102

April 26, 2018

Dear US Attorney Craig Carpenito:

My name is Mayor Norman Schmelz I am the Mayor of Bergenfield, NJ.

Please see attached lawsuit OMID BAYATI, Plaintiff, v. BERGEN COUNTY SHERIFF’S OFFICE, SHERIFF MICHAEL SAUDINO, BERGEN COUNTY, JOHN DOES 1-10, and ABC ENTITIES 1-10, Docket Number L-7423-17, filed in Bergen County Superior Court on April 20, 2018.

In a lawsuit, filed on April 20, 2018 in Bergen County Superior Court, it is alleged that in violation of State Law, that a meeting was held in “late 2017” in which “ a meeting was called by the County for all Department heads in relation to the budget. At that meeting, the County CFO noted that it was an election year for the County Executive and therefore there needed to be a zero percent increase in the budget. In order to accomplish this, they decided to rely upon funding from ICE (Immigration and Customs Enforcement) to partially fund the Sheriff’s Office.”

If these allegations are true, then the public needs to know, who was involved, what was agreed upon, and how much taxpayers dollars are being used for political purposes.

The allegations are clear that Federal Tax dollars (and possibly state and local tax dollars as well) are clearly being used for political purposes, instead of providing essential services in a proper manner.

It is inconceivable and outrageous that such illegal activities are taking place in the offices of the Bergen County Executive. Each person who had knowledge of such activities should immediately come forward, divulge what they know, and resign forthwith. Anything less than that is unacceptable.”

I ask that the Department of Justice investigate these allegations presented in a court of law, that if true contain a clear and compelling picture of illegality at the highest levels of government. This breach of trust, is devastating to hard working taxpayers who demand their tax dollar be spent on essential government services, not for political reasons as is alleged.”

I can be reached via email at normans94@aol.com, or on my telephone number at 201-359-7412 should you need any assistance or follow up.

Mayor Norman Schmelz

Cc:     Attorney General  Gurbir S. Gruwal

RJ Hughes Justice Complex

25 Market Street, Box 080

Trenton, NJ 08625-0080