Local PAC Potentially Facing Fundraising Probe

Investigations by the Star-Ledger and New Brunswick Today have focused attention on the Middlesex County political action group (PAC) Women for Good Government, who, according to official documentation, should have more than $25,000 in their coffers, but are in possession of a mere $26.01.

And, according to attorneys representing the group's treasurer, official investigations of the political action committee's funding practices may be going on.

According to an article in Tuesday's Star-Ledger, disclosure forms filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission showed that at the end of 2010, the group was in posession of $31,050.

A sworn statement from treasurer Deborah Celey in March 2011 stated that the PAC would not spend more than $4,900, last year, according to the Ledger.

Bank statements obtained by the Star-Ledger for January and February 2012 show $26.01 in the PAC's accounts, the newspaper says.

The discovery was made as part of a story package published by the Star-Ledger this week that looks into how PAC's in New Jersey are able to get around pay-to-play laws.

According to the Ledger, Women for Good Government and other PACs in Middlesex County are believed by critics to be formed for the purpose of avoiding pay-to-play laws.

"Women for Good Government, which started up in 2007, has received more than $300,000, largely from engineering firms, attorneys, insurance brokers and other contractors, and distributed them to politicians and political parties in towns where these firms do business. In many cases, the money went to towns where the contractors would be barred from giving large sums directly to candidates under pay-to-play laws," the article said.

According to New Brunswick Today, Women for Good Government ceased its operations in 2010.

According to the Star-Ledger report, a number of players around Middlesex County contributed money to Women in Good Government, including Democratic organizations from several Middlesex County municipalities, and a number of companies.

Nearly 20 different donations were made from construction and engineering firm CME Associates between 2007 and 2010, according to information provided by the Star-Ledger.

Tekton Development, Alaimo Group and the law firm Hoagland, Longo, Moran, Dunst and Doukas were also listed as frequent contributors.

CME Associates recently began a $4.6 million on Remsen Avenue that is expected to last though next year.

The website New Brunswick Today recently unveiled a seven part series that examines campaign donations in New Brunswick, with the opening piece and second piece examining the monetary donations to Women for Good Government.

To read the series, visit http://newsbrunswicktoday.com.