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TRENTON
– Attorney General Paula T. Dow and
Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor
announced that a paid political consultant
was indicted today in connection with deceptive
“robocalls” made to more than
12,000 voters that attacked the two Republican
incumbents in the June 2009 primary race
for state Assembly in the 40th Legislative
District.
According
to Director Taylor, the Division of Criminal
Justice Corruption Bureau obtained a state
grand jury indictment today charging Kevin
Collins, 39, of Brooklyn, N.Y., formerly
of Wood-Ridge, N.J., with impersonation,
a fourth-degree crime. The charge stems
from an investigation by the Division of
Criminal Justice and the New Jersey State
Police.
It
is alleged that Collins, who was a paid
political consultant for Republican challengers
Joe Caruso and Anthony Rottino, was responsible
for automated phone calls or “robocalls”
attacking the Republican incumbents, Assemblymen
Scott Rumana and David Russo. The calls,
which were made using a robocall service
operated by an independent company, allegedly
impersonated Assemblyman Rumana’s
chief of staff, Ann O’Rourke. The
calls featured the voice of a woman who
identified herself as “Ann.”
It
is alleged that Collins obtained the cellular
telephone number of Ann O’Rourke and
provided it to the robocall service company
so that it would appear that the automated
phone message originated from her and her
cell phone. The robocall went to more that
12,000 residents of the 40th Legislative
District on the day of the primary, June
2, 2009. The call made several inaccurate
remarks about the incumbent assemblymen
and encouraged recipients to vote against
them. The call did not identify what campaign
or political organization was responsible
for it.
The
investigation was conducted by Deputy Attorney
General Jeffrey J. Manis of the Division
of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and
the State Police Official Corruption Bureau
North Unit.
The
fourth-degree charge carries a maximum sentence
of 18 months in state prison and a $10,000
fine. Collins also was charged by complaint
on Nov. 23, 2009 with violation of the Fair
Campaign Practices Act, a disorderly persons
offense which carries a sentence of up to
six months in jail and a $1,000 fine. The
charges are merely accusations and the defendant
is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Collins will be ordered to appear in Superior
Court in Passaic County at a later date.
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