By: Richard L. Smith
A campaign manager from Hunterdon County has pleaded guilty to attempting to fraudulently place a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot for the 2021 New Jersey governor’s race, the New Jersey Attorney General’s Office announced today.
James J. Devine, 62, of Lambertville, New Jersey, admitted to the charge of an offense concerning nomination certificates or petitions (third degree) during a hearing on August 26, 2024, before Judge Robert E. Lytle in Mercer County Superior Court.
The guilty plea comes as part of a plea agreement with the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability (OPIA), which is subject to court approval.
Under the terms of the agreement, prosecutors will recommend that Devine be sentenced to two years of probation. His sentencing is scheduled for October 18, 2024.
Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin emphasized the importance of this prosecution in maintaining the integrity of the electoral process.
“For the public to have faith in our elections, it’s critical for law enforcement to ensure that efforts to tamper with them are investigated and prosecuted,” said Platkin. “This defendant’s plea is a testament to my office’s commitment to fair elections and to holding bad actors accountable when they attempt to taint our democratic system.”
Drew Skinner, Executive Director of OPIA, added, “The defendant in this case has now admitted to fraudulently trying to get a candidate on the primary ballot for governor. Anyone who might try to cheat our democratic system should know: we will hold you accountable.”
The charges against Devine stem from an OPIA investigation, which led to a state grand jury indictment on March 12, 2024.
The investigation revealed that in April 2021, Devine submitted approximately 1,948 fraudulent nominating petitions to the New Jersey Department of State’s Division of Elections in an attempt to secure his candidate’s spot on the June 8, 2021 primary ballot.
The New Jersey Democratic State Committee formally challenged the legitimacy of the petitions on April 9, 2021.
Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin later ruled in favor of the committee, citing irregularities and removing the candidate from the ballot on April 13, 2021.
Individuals whose names appeared on the fraudulent petitions informed investigators that they neither submitted nor authorized any such petitions.
The investigation further revealed that Devine had falsified voter information and submitted it to the Division of Elections without the knowledge or consent of the voters involved.
In his guilty plea, Devine acknowledged that he knew the petitions were fraudulent when he filed them.