HOBOKEN – A week of lobbing corruption charges between the campaigns of Councilman Michael Lenz and challenger Tim Occhipinti may result in a court hearing that could potentially delay the outcome of the contest beyond Election Day.
Yesterday, the Lenz campaign filed a complaint in Hudson County Superior Court, and named Occhipinti, his campaign, and the Hudson County Board of Elections as defendants in an 88-page complaint which outlines Occhipinti’s ELEC filings, as well as four affidavits from people who allege that an Occhipinti campaign official offered the residents $40 in exchange for a vote-by-mail ballot in favor of Occhipinti.
The Occhipinti campaign has denied the charges, and one official said Lenz is attempting to “to deflect the issue of their own campaign corruption.”
The Lenz campaign wants to sequester at least 78 vote-by-mail ballots, if not more. The complaint alleges that 78 of 79 residents listed as “campaign workers” have already voted by mail. The Occhipinti campaign has said since they only have four affidavits, only four votes should be sequestered. The decision will be made by a Superior Court Judge, but a hearing date on the charges was to be decided Friday after a conference among attornies for the campaigns.
On Tuesday, a local blog often critical of Lenz alleged that he met with developer Kyle Enger in the Coach House Diner to discuss a variance for the rights to upgrade 226 Park Ave. to a four story unit from three, before voting to approve the variance a May 19 City Council meeting. Later, Enger appeared on Lenz’s Election Law Election Commission (ELEC) filing along with a $500 donation. Another developer also contributed $500.
“This is what makes people lose faith in their elected representatives,” Occhipinti said. “I believe in honest, open government that serves people. These allegations against Mr. Lenz need to be fully investigated for the public good. Hoboken deserves better.”
Lenz did not dispute the donation, and defended his decision.
“I voted to uphold a Zoning Board decision to allow a four story townhouse next to a five story building because I believed it was the right thing for the neighborhood and that owner now has contributed to my campaign,” Lenz said. “I voted to a reject a 12-story building in a two story zone because it was way out of scale with the neighborhood, and that owner now supports my opponent.
“In neither case did the hope of support have anything to do with my vote,” he said. “I welcome help from all who share my views, and and am proud, not embarrassed, when a builder of neighborhood-friendly projects chooses to support my campaign.”
For the complete story, read this weekend’s Hoboken Reporter. – Ray Smith