By: Richard L. Smith
A notable political campaign manager from Hunterdon County faces charges following an indictment related to fraudulent activities aimed at securing a spot on the Democratic primary ballot for the 2021 New Jersey governor race.
The announcement came from Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability on Wednesday.
James J. Devine, 62, of Lambertville, has been charged with multiple offenses by a state grand jury in Trenton, which returned the indictment on March 12, 2024.
Devine is accused of offenses concerning nomination certificates or petitions, tampering with public records or information, falsifying or tampering with records, and carrying potential penalties ranging from fines to prison time.
The indictment stems from actions in April 2021 when Devine allegedly attempted to fraudulently get a candidate onto the ballot for the Democratic nomination for governor.
This attempt involved the submission of approximately 1,948 fraudulent voter certifications to the Division of Elections.
"Our democracy depends on the integrity of our elections," stated Attorney General Platkin.
He emphasized the importance of public confidence in the electoral process and assured that election fraud and tampering would be met with serious legal consequences.
Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, reiterated the state's commitment to maintaining a fair electoral environment free from misconduct and deceit.
The New Jersey Democratic State Committee raised alarms about the authenticity of the voter certifications provided by Devine, leading to a legal challenge.
Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin removed the implicated candidate from the ballot after finding irregularities in the submission process.
Investigations revealed that individuals named in the petitions had not authorized their inclusion, suggesting Devine had submitted false information to the Division of Elections without voter consent.
The case, highlighting the serious implications of electoral fraud, is being prosecuted by Deputy Attorney General Max Lesser and Corruption Bureau Deputy Chief Andrew Wellbrock.
As the legal proceedings take place, Devine remains innocent until proven guilty.