Category: Trenton

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Florida Man Charged with Assuming Identity of NJ Doctor in $1 Million Insurance Fraud Scheme

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July 12,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and the Office of the Insurance Fraud Prosecutor announced that a Florida man was charged today with assuming the identity of a New Jersey doctor to submit more than $1 million in fraudulent medical claims for medical services purportedly rendered at a Morris County medical center that, in reality, did not exist.

Yoandi Marrero, 33, of Hialeah, Florida, and PA Clinical Center, Inc., the registered company he allegedly used to front the phantom medical practice, were charged with insurance fraud and attempted theft by deception (2nd degree); theft by deception (3rd degree); and identity theft (4th degree) in an indictment handed up by a state Grand Jury in Trenton today. Marrero was also charged with fourth degree identity theft in the alleged scheme.
Marrero allegedly used the personal information of a Hudson County family physician to submit fraudulent insurance claims to United Healthcare Insurance Company (“United Healthcare”) for a variety of physical therapy and medical services – including x-rays, ultrasound therapy, and electrical stimulation – purportedly provided to more than a dozen patients at PA Clinical Center located in medical suite on Bloomfield Avenue in Denville.
According to prosecutors, neither the doctor, nor the patients who allegedly received the treatments had ever been to the PA Clinical Center; and they had no idea how Marrero got their personal information. In reality, the address listed for PA Clinical Center is the site of an unoccupied storage unit.

“Insurance fraud is a reprehensible crime but it’s even worse when criminals cloak themselves in the identities of unsuspecting, law-abiding citizens to commit their illegal acts, as this defendant allegedly did,” said Attorney General Grewal. “We will vigorously investigate and prosecute anyone who blatantly exploits the privacy of others in order to steal benefits from insurance providers.”
As a result of Marrero’s alleged scheme, he received more than $46,000 in payments from United Healthcare.

The scheme was uncovered when a United Healthcare member claimed a doctor had billed her insurance for services that were never rendered. A review of billing records for the doctor and PA Clinical Center led investigators to Marrero, who is listed with the NJ Department of Treasury as PA Clinical’ s registered agent.

“It’s astounding that anyone would think they could get away with this kind of wholesale corruption of the insurance system,” said Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Tracy M. Thompson. “Nothing about these claims for medical services was legitimate; not the doctor who allegedly performed them; not the patients who allegedly received them, not even the facility in which they were allegedly performed. As this case demonstrates, we will vigorously investigate these phantom claims all the way back to their illegal sources to bring the perpetrators to justice.”

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to ten years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, while third-degree crimes carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000, and fourth-degree crimes carry a sentence of up to eighteen months in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $5,000. The indictment is merely an accusation and the defendant is presumed innocent until proven guilty.
Deputy Attorney General Charles Wright presented the case to the grand jury.

Acting Insurance Fraud Prosecutor Thompson noted that some important cases have started with anonymous tips. People who are concerned about insurance cheating and have information about a fraud can report it anonymously by calling the toll-free hotline at 1-877-55-FRAUD, or visiting the Web site at www.njinsurancefraud.org. State regulations permit a reward to be paid to an eligible person who provides information that leads to an arrest, prosecution and conviction for insurance fraud.

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Portuguese Man-of-War Sighted at Jersey Shore

Portuguese man o' wars

July 11,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wildwood Crest NJ, For the fourth consecutive summer season, a Portuguese man-of-war has been found on a New Jersey beach, This time at Wildwood Crest on Thursday.

The Portuguese man-of-war is a predatory siphonophore that gets its name from the float, a gas-filled bladder that can grow up to a foot in length and rise out of the water up at six inches. The creature has very long tentacles that can grow up to 32 feet.

According to the South Carolina Department of Natural Resources, the Portuguese man-of-war can inflict “extremely painful stings,” resulting in a severe shooting pain.

The man-of-war’s polyps contain cnidocytes delivering a potent proteic neurotoxin capable of paralyzing small fish. For humans, most stings cause red welts accompanied by swelling and moderate to severe pain. These local symptoms last for two to three days.

Systemic symptoms are less frequent, but potentially severe. They may include generalized malaise, vomiting, fever, elevated heart rate at rest (tachycardia), shortness of breath and muscular cramps in the abdomen and back. Severe allergic reactions to the man-of-war’s venom may interfere with cardiac and respiratory function, so divers should always seek a timely professional medical evaluation.

There are two species for the genus: Physalia physalis in the Atlantic and Physalia utriculus in the Indo-Pacific. The Atlantic man-of-war may reach slightly larger dimensions, with the gas bladder rarely exceeding one foot (30 centimeters) and tentacles averaging 33 feet (10 meters) and possibly extending up to 165 feet (50 meters).

Though many people mistake the Portuguese man-of-war for a species of jellyfish, this genus belongs to the order Siphonophora, a class of hydrozoans. What we see as a single specimen is actually a colony composed of up to four different types of polyps. Despite its resemblance, these animals are more closely related to fire coral than to jellyfish.

The Portuguese man-of-war is easily recognizable; if you see blue tentacles, you can bet they belong to Physalia.

One study found that 50 million people swim in the waters off the United States annually, while an expert noted 50 deaths per year are attributed to jellyfish worldwide.

However NON have been spotted at Graydon Pool .

 

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President Of New Jersey Clinical Laboratory And His Brother, A Senior Employee, Sentenced To Prison In $100m+ Test Referral/Bribery Scheme

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July 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

NEWARK, N.J. – The president of Parsippany, New Jersey-based Biodiagnostic Laboratory Services LLC (BLS) and his brother – a senior employee at the now-defunct company – were sentenced today to federal prison terms for their respective roles in a conspiracy in which millions of dollars in bribes were paid to physicians for blood sample referrals worth more than $100 million to the company, U.S. Attorney Craig Carpenito announced.
David Nicoll, 44, of Mountain Lakes, New Jersey, was sentenced to 72 months in prison; Scott Nicoll, 37, of Wayne, New Jersey, was sentenced to 43 months in prison. Each defendant had previously pleaded guilty before U.S. District Judge Stanley R. Chesler to an information charging one count of conspiracy to violate the Anti-Kickback Statute and the Federal Travel Act and one count of money laundering. Judge Chesler imposed the sentences today in Newark federal court.

Derek Michalski explained , “Two crooked New Jersey “entrepreneurs” doctors pocketed more than $100 million from Medicare. No wonder people of this country elected Donald Tump as President. These crimes were going on for over a decade but finally Trump’s DOJ shows some teeth and looks like it’s going after those parasites. It‘s about time….“David and Scott Nicoll admitted that BLS made substantially more than $100 million from Medicare and private insurance companies – just from bills related to blood specimens sent to BLS by bribed doctors.”

“Today, the president of a diagnostic lab company and his brother were sentenced for their leading roles in a scam that led to one of the largest ever prosecutions of medical professionals in a bribery case,” U.S. Attorney Carpenito said. “Medical referrals from a doctor should be based on what’s in the patient’s best interest, not on how much money the doctor is offered in kickbacks. The number of doctors and medical professionals sent to prison in this case should make that message abundantly clear.”

The investigation has resulted in the convictions of 53 defendants – 38 of them of doctors – in connection with the bribery scheme, which its organizers have admitted involved millions of dollars in bribes and resulted in more than $100 million in payments to BLS from Medicare and various private insurance companies. It is believed to be the largest number of medical professionals ever prosecuted in a bribery case. The investigation has recovered more than $15 million through forfeiture. On June 28, 2016, BLS, which is no longer operational, pleaded guilty and was required to forfeit all of its assets.

“The FBI views health care fraud as a severe crime problem that impacts every American,” FBI Special Agent in Charge Gregory W. Ehrie said. “Fraud and abuse take critical resources out of our health care system, and contribute to the rising cost of health care for everyone. Today’s sentencing of David Nicoll and his brother Scott Nicoll are the result of a multi-agency investigation into a complex health care fraud scheme, requiring substantial investigative resources. The FBI, with its law enforcement partners, will continue to allocate a significant amount of expert resources to investigate these crimes and prosecute all those that are intent in defrauding the American public.”
“These two individuals masterminded an elaborate health care fraud scheme based on nothing more than greed,” Scott J. Lampert, Special Agent in Charge for the Office of Inspector General of the U.S. Department of Health and Human Services, said. “We trust that the work with our law enforcement partners – especially the U.S. Attorney’s Office, FBI, IRS, and Postal Inspection Service – will send a clear message and dissuade individual health ‘professionals’ from making such corrosive schemes possible.”

According to documents filed in this case and statements made in court:
On April 9, 2013, federal agents arrested BLS president and part owner, David Nicoll; Scott Nicoll, a senior BLS employee and others, who were charged by complaint with bribery conspiracy, along with the BLS company. The conspiracy made millions in illegal profits between 2006 and April of 2013. David and Scott Nicoll admitted that BLS made substantially more than $100 million from Medicare and private insurance companies – just from bills related to blood specimens sent to BLS by bribed doctors.
BLS paid doctors millions of dollars – in cash or under the guise of sham lease, service, and consulting agreements through an elaborate network of shell entities used for that purpose. The defendants also admitted that one component of the bribery scheme was to pay some doctors a fee per test to induce them to increase their ordering of certain tests.
“Health care fraud of this magnitude cannot be tolerated, and today’s sentencings are the direct result of the tremendous investigative skills of all the participating law enforcement agencies,” Bryant Jackson, Acting Special Agent in Charge, IRS – Criminal Investigation, Newark Field Office, said. “IRS – Criminal Investigation is proud to have been a part of this investigative team that helped to bring down and dismantle this massive health care conspiracy.”
“Throughout the course of this long-running investigation, Postal Inspectors, federal prosecutors and our law enforcement partners have diligently worked to unravel this elaborate bribery conspiracy,” Acting Inspector in Charge Judy Ramos of the U.S. Postal Inspection Service said. “Although, the final defendants in this matter face sentencing today, Postal Inspectors will continue to tirelessly investigate complex fraud schemes that target consumers and businesses through the U.S. Mail.”

In addition to the prison terms, Judge Chesler sentenced the Nicolls to one year of supervised release.

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Bramnick announces rally against state-imposed, high-density housing

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Bramnick announces rally against state-imposed, high-density housing

July 10,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

WESTFIELD N.J. ,Assembly Republican Leader Jon Bramnick (R-Union)  announced plans for a rally against state-imposed, high-density housing at a town hall meeting tonight in Cranford. The rally will be held on the steps of the Statehouse Annex on Thursday, September 20 at 10 a.m.

Jon Bramnick  , “We cannot allow the Courts to require our towns to build thousands of residential units without regard to the impact on schools, traffic and property taxes. The legislature must act immediately. Both democrats and republicans agree that action is needed now and at the very least a moratorium on litigation until the legislature acts. Local zoning laws should be respected.”

 

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Phil Murphy Establishes New Jersey Ministry of Propaganda and funds State Sponsored Media

phil murphy

July 9,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, New Jersey governor Phil Murphy signed a bill that would dedicate $5 million in government sponsored local news.

Under the ruse of ‘social justice”, the so-called “Civic Info Bill” was passed by the state legislature in June and will create the Civic Information Consortium, a nonprofit organization that gives grants to promote media in “underserved communities, low-income communities and communities of color.”

After all “people of color” need to be told what to think by the state , and state controlled media is the best tool of the propagandist.

Applicants apply for grants by proposing a “collaboration” between one of five public universities and a community organization, a media outlet, or a member of the state’s technology sector. The proposal must also “offer a clear benefit to communities.” Which means if it keeps people down , promotes victimization and echo Democrat talking points  it will be funded .

One goal of proposed grants should be to “better meet the information needs of low-income communities and racial and ethnic communities that have been undeserved by the media.” Meaning the central idea is to push “fake news” that promotes the fialed state agenda .

Which translates into too many “people of color” are starting to think for themselves and we can have that.

The state Democrats will of coarse have a large role in deciding who is eligible to receive such grants.

Under the bill the state would establish a Ministry of Propaganda a 13-person board of directors will be in charge of approving grants will have two appointees each from the governor and the legislature, as well as five picks from the universities. Those nine directors will, by majority vote, choose the last four members.

Some activist organizations that have expressed support for the bill include Action 21 Immigrants Rights Advocacy Group, LAP Latino Alliance for Progress, and the Latin American Democratic Association. Just one Republican member of the state legislature voted in favor of the bill.

The bill was extensively lobbied for by a group ironically named , Free Press? There is no such think as a government funded “free press”,   The organization’s goal of promoting “diversity in media ownership” and is co-founded by at least one progressive journalist. Free Press Action Fund launched a campaign in 2017 to pass an earlier version of the bill. Another words lets force New Jersey’s hapless taxpayer to pay for more failed  journalists jobs.

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Trenton Continues to Drive Residents From the State

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July 7,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, around two years ago, New Jersey’s richest resident , hedge fund billionaire David Tepper decided to move himself and his business to Miami Beach. Tepper, who personally earned more than $6 billion from 2012-2015, was tired of paying New Jersey’s top income-tax rate of 8.97% for the 20 years he lived there, in addition to the country’s highest property taxes, the estate tax and inheritance tax. By moving to Florida, a state with ZERO income tax, Tepper stood to save hundreds of millions of dollars each year. Tepper’s departure left an enormous hole in the New Jersey budget .

Anyone with an ounce of common sense would have at least acknowledged the possibility that a guy like Tepper would consider moving to save a few hundred million dollars , anyone that is except ,”stuck on stupid ” Trenton .

Tepper is not the only one to leave , according to the New Jersey Business and Industry Association, the State of New Jersey lost a whopping 2 million residents between 2005 and 2014, earning a combined $18 billion in net adjusted gross income, i.e. income that would have been taxed by the state.

With those out flow numbers Its not just the masters of the universe that are tired of paying sky-high taxes. It’s also the regular wage earner and small business owners. A whopping 60% of these folks went to Florida, with a state income tax of zero.

So the message from New Jersey’s residents (well, now former residents) is loud and clear: taxes are too high!

Now, what do you think New Jersey is doing to solve this problem?

New Jersey residents elected a governor that promised to raise their taxes, so instead of making the state friendlier to productive people and businesses , New Jersey has embarked on a program of driving out tax payers and replacing them with tax takers .

New Jersey now taxes residents making more than $5 million will now pay 10.75%, up from 8.97%.The corporate rate on businesses with more than $1 million in net income was also increased from 9% to 11.5% (Proportionally, that’s a potentially 27% increase in the amount of tax a business might pay).

This will simply exacerbate the problem even more ,chasing more businesses and people out of the state .

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AFP-NJ: It Exists Therefore It’s Taxed

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July 2, 2018
by AFP-NJ: It Exists Therefore It’s Taxed

Trenton NJ,  Americans for Prosperity-New Jersey (AFP-NJ) responded to the New Jersey state budget, which the legislature passed and the governor signed on Sunday. The $37.4 billion state budget increased income taxes as well as corporate taxes. AFP-NJ opposed the measure.

AFP-NJ State Director Erica Jedynak issued the following statement:

“The way New Jersey lawmakers tax everything you’d think they’re purposefully trying to drive everyone out so they can keep the state to themselves. According to Sen. Sweeney and Gov. Murphy, the only thing better than a tax on one thing is a tax on two. But the higher income and corporate taxes will only exacerbate the Garden State’s already troubling outmigration problem and increase the tax burden on an ever-shrinking population. How long before New Jersey lawmakers start taxing folks in New York or Pennsylvania?

“That some lawmakers refuse to acknowledge that New Jersey has a spending problem, not a revenue problem, is outrageous. Our elected officials need to recognize that spending on wasteful programs such as corporate welfare is a core driver of increased taxes, which in turn make it harder to live, work, and raise a family in the Garden State.”

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“Operation Summer Octane , ” Statewide Sweep of Gas Stations Finds Most in Compliance with NJ Motor Fuel Act

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July 3,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,  Motorists traveling to New Jersey’s beaches, parks, and other spots to celebrate Fourth of July can fuel up with confidence thanks to a statewide inspection of gas stations to ensure consumers get what they pay for at the pumps during the busy holiday week, the New Jersey Division of Consumer Affairs announced today.

“Operation Summer Octane,” a two-week campaign of unannounced fuel quality tests led by the Division’s Office of Weights and Measures (“OWM”) tested the quality of gasoline at 371 stations across New Jersey – about 10 percent of the 3,000 licensed stations in the state – and found only two allegedly selling fuel with octane levels lower than advertised.

“With the busiest travel holiday of the summer upon us, we want motorists to have confidence that when they purchase gasoline at New Jersey stations, they’re going to get their money’s worth,” said Paul R. Rodríguez, Acting Director of the Division of Consumer Affairs. “Operation Summer Octane was a proactive sweep to let stations know we’re watching to make sure they’re not charging consumers premium prices for low-grade gasoline.”
According to the Automobile Club of America (“AAA”), this year’s Independence Day holiday gas prices are the highest in four years. In New Jersey, consumers are paying an average of $2.884 a gallon for regular gasoline and $3.358 a gallon for premium, a price gap of 47.4 cents a gallon, according to AAA.

“When stations are charging nearly 50 cents a gallon more for premium gasoline the potential for illegal profit can be a temptation for unscrupulous station owners,” Rodríguez said “The good news is, our unannounced inspections found that 99 percent of the stations were pumping the proper grade of fuel. The small minority that weren’t will be held accountable. “

The unannounced inspections, which ran weekdays from June 11 through June 27, were conducted at stations located in all 21 counties within the state, including those on toll roads. An “Octane Task Force” comprised of inspectors from 17 state, county, and municipal Weights and Measures Offices used portable octane testers to field test unleaded gasoline rated from 87, 89, 91, 92, and 93 at each station.
Any fuel sample that appeared to present a violation, presented unclear results, or could not be tested on site for any reason, was sent to a laboratory for comprehensive testing.

A total of 7 samples were sent to the labs. Samples from two stations – Runway Gas on Greenwood Avenue in Trenton and USA Gas on Landis Avenue in Vineland — allegedly failed to deliver the octane levels advertised by the stations.
Operation Summer Octane also resulted in citations against 20 stations for a variety of other alleged violations of OWM and NJ motor fuel laws and regulations:

In Passaic County:
Rose Fuel, 308 Union Ave., Paterson – Failure to display mid-grade pricing atop fuel dispenser. (6 counts)
Delta, 216 Redwood Ave., Paterson – Failure to display credit card pricing atop fuel dispenser. (4 counts)
In Somerset County:
Exxon/Warren Food Inc., 171 Mt Bethel Rd, Warren –Failure to have inspection certificate available. (1 count)
In Morris County:
Shell/Ellahi Fuel, 411 W Main St., Boonton – Faulty 5-gallon test measure.
In Gloucester County:
Mobile/Creative Management, 102 N Delsea Dr., Glassboro – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (3 counts)
Citgo/Clayton Food and Gas, 435 S Delsea Dr., Clayton – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (1count)
In Atlantic County:
Riggins/Hammonton Fuel Stop, 12th & Chew Rd, Hammonton – Water in storage drop around fuel storage tank. (1 count)

In Union County:
Quick Check #90 1999, Routes 1 & 9, Rahway – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (10 counts)
Delta/Sadana Fuel, LLC 104 Westfield Ave., Clark – Pump meter continuing to run after dispensing stops. (3 counts)
Valero/Khalsa Fuel, LLC, 105 Chestnut St., Roselle, NJ – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on marquee. (1 count)
Delta/A-1 Union Gas, 35 North Ave., Crandford – Unregistered weighing and measuring devices. (18 counts)
Conoco/Jersey Mart Inc., 419-431 Routes 1 & 9, Elizabeth – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (3 counts)
In Middlesex:
Sunoco #7013, Thomas Edison Service Area, NJTP, Woodbridge – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (4 counts)

In Essex County:
Fuel 4/NCK Fuel, 1126 McCarter Hwy., Newark – Failure to display security seal on fuel dispenser meter. (4 counts) Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Speedway, #3485, 895 Springfield Ave., Irvington – No Price Per Gallon signage atop fuel dispenser. (3 counts)
Delta/G & R Fuel Corporation, 822-828 Clinton Ave., Newark – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (9 counts)
JPG Enterprises, 754 Lyons Rd., Irvington – Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (2 counts)
07205 Management, 242 Elizabeth Ave., Newark – Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Saveway LLC, 221 Central Ave., East Orange – No security seal on fuel dispenser meter. (13 counts) Faulty or illegible L.E.D. Price Per Gallon signage on fuel dispenser. (4 counts) Failure to have 5-gallon test measure on premises. (1 count)
Mobile/1139-1153 Broad St Petroleum, 1139-1153 Broad St., Newark – Improper numeral size on Price Per Gallon signage atop fuel dispenser. (13 counts)
Stations found to be in violation of OWM and NJ motor fuel laws and regulations face civil penalties from $100 to $1,500 per violation. Fines are assessed on a case by case basis in relation to the business history, and the severity of the infraction in relation to deceptive business practices.

The Division of Consumer Affairs’ Office of Weights and Measures thanks Bergen, Burlington, Camden, Cape May, Cumberland, Essex, Mercer, Middlesex, Morris, Ocean, Passaic, Salem, Somerset, Sussex, Union county Offices of Weights and Measures, and the Trenton Office of Weights and Measures, for their participation in this statewide effort.
Octane is a hydrocarbon liquid found in gasoline and other fuels. When octane levels are too low, gasoline can self-ignite during compression, causing much higher pressures than engine components are designed for. This can lead to a persistent knocking sound in the engine and, in severe cases can lead to significant engine damage such as broken connecting rods, melted pistons, or other damaged components. The risk is especially acute with high-performance vehicles for which a higher octane rating is recommended, but can affect any vehicle if the octane level is substandard.

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New Jersey lost $18 billion in net income over nine years thanks to a net outmigration of 2 million residents.

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file photo by Boyd Loving

July 3,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Wyckoff NJ, Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney R- 40  comments on the latest tax increase from Trenton .
Rooney said last Thursday during the state budget battle ,”People moving out of New Jersey are having a significant economic impact, according to a report released by NJBIA. Outmigration by the Numbers: How Do We Stop the Exodus? Concludes that New Jersey lost $18 billion in net income over nine years thanks to a net outmigration of 2 million residents.
The exodus leads to $8.4 billion in lost household spending; $11.4 billion in lost economic output; 75,000 lost jobs and $4 billion in total lost labor income.
This year Democrats are fighting with Democrat Governor Phil Murphy over two spending plans: their plan to spend $36.5 billion and Murphy’s plan of $37.4 billion. Except this time it is over which taxes to hike to fund their irresponsible spending increase. When will New Jersey Democrats stop the insanity?”

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Pennacchio: Warns No Way to Attract Amazon

Amazon Introduces New Tablet At News Conference In New York

July 2,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, In response to Trenton Democrats various proposals to increase taxes on New Jersey’s residents and businesses by billions of dollars this year, Senator Joe Pennacchio (R-26) issued the following statement:

In response to Trenton Democrats various proposals to increase taxes on New Jersey’s residents and businesses by billions of dollars this year, Sen. Joe Pennacchio issued the following statement. (SenateNJ)
“Recently New Jersey offered Amazon 5 billion dollars to locate its headquarters in Newark. It is difficult to believe that as New Jersey offers Amazon a 5 billion dollar incentive with one hand, it is pinching their pockets and all business pockets in New Jersey with the other hand. Perhaps they were hoping Amazon would not notice.

“This type of business incentive/non-incentive insanity simply reinforces New Jersey as the least business-friendly state in the country. The billion dollars in new employer taxes proposed will wipe out any goodwill New Jersey may have earned through corporate giveaways.

“This is not a way to attract and retain businesses in New Jersey. This is not the type of government the citizens of New Jersey deserve.”

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N.J. Officials Respond to U.S. Supreme Court Ruling on Labor Unions, Explain How Politicians Will be Protected Going Forward

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July 1,2018
the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ, Governor Phil Murphy, Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal and Labor Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo responded today to a U.S. Supreme Court ruling that says public sector workers need not pay their “fair share” of dues to the unions that represent public sector employees.

In an opinion issued this morning, the U.S. Supreme Court decided Janus v. American Federation of State, County and Municipal Employees. The petitioners in Janus asked the Court to overrule an earlier decision that had determined public unions could require all workers to pay a “fair share” of union dues to defray the cost of collective bargaining. New Jersey, along with a coalition of states and unions, defended that prior decision. But in a 5-4 ruling this morning, the Supreme Court decided to allow workers to refuse to pay their fair share, potentially weakening collective bargaining by labor groups that negotiate employee compensation, pensions, and contracts.

“This disappointing decision does not in any way diminish our administration’s commitment to protecting the right of public sector employees to organize,” responded Governor Phil Murphy. “We stand firm with our labor unions and labor organizations to advocate and protect members’ rights as we did with the Workplace Democracy Enhancement Act I signed in May. Supporting strong unions is a critical part of making New Jersey’s economy work for everyone.”

If you read between the lines New Jersey politicians particular Democrats are upset that state workers will no longer be forced to support them through political donations.

Attorney General Gurbir Grewal agreed , “The very first amicus brief I signed as Attorney General was one in support of workers’ rights in Janus v. AFSCME,” said Attorney General Grewal. “I was proud to stand with labor on this crucial issue and remain so today. In New Jersey, we’re charting a path to protect workers even as the federal government turns away from them.

“At the Attorney General’s Office, we will use our legal authorities to continue vigorous enforcement of state laws that protect workers’ rights to organize and to engage in collective bargaining,” Attorney General Grewal continued. “Nothing about today’s decision changes that.”

The only thing Trenton is interested in protecting is the compact between state workers and Democrats that says you give us campaign contributions and we give you raises and generous contracts .

“This decision is a travesty for working men and women everywhere, particularly here in New Jersey, where workers’ right to organize is protected by our state Constitution,” added Labor Commissioner Rob Asaro-Angelo. “The decision undermines the ability of working people around the country to receive the respect and appreciation they deserve. Despite this ruling, the Department of Labor and Workforce Development is committed to working with our sister government agencies to protect workers’ rights, secure their safety, and ensure the dignity that work provides.”

The only “travesty” has been the lack of tax payer representation in the political process and the control of state government to unions

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Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi : “Any tax and spending increases without real reforms to our pension system is irresponsible and reckless”

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July 1,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ,in a last minute deal the state government shut down has been avoided . Assemblywomen Holly Schepisi , “Update for New Jersey residents. It appears a State shutdown will be averted. On the upside you will be able to go to the beach, the racetrack or a casino, and renew your license. On the downside you will be paying even more for gas, internet purchases, hospital visits, plastic and paper bags, Airbnb, Uber and Lyft, health care, and utility bills. I keep hearing a mantra of New Jersey needs sustainable revenue. However New Jersey has significant revenue. New Jersey ranks in the top 5 highest taxed states in the country. New Jersey has among the highest pension debt. Any tax and spending increases without real reforms to our pension system is irresponsible and reckless. Good luck New Jersey residents. You voted for this”

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Reader says we are led by people that don’t know that eventually you run out of other people’s money

murphphil1

This is a great example of why this state is failing. The Federal government increases the pain we all feel by changing the property tax deduction which lowers our property values and the state increases the taxes on the decreasing value of our property. This in turn makes staying in NJ less viable, which again, lowers our property values. Instead of realizing that we need real structural changes in the state to bring the fiscal house in order, we are led by people that don’t know that eventually you run out of other people’s money.

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NJGOP has Harsh Words on Murphy’s State Shutdown

Phill Murphy -Sara Medina del Castillo

June 30,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Trenton NJ , As New Jersey’s state government approaches what seems to be an inevitable shut down, NJGOP Chairman Doug Steinhardt released the following statement:

“As Democrat politicians in Trenton paralyze important government services fighting over what taxes to raise, the people of New Jersey are struggling to understand why their representatives aren’t working out a way to take New Jersey in the other direction and reduce the tax burden. Governor Murphy and the Democrats in Trenton have carried on a completely partisan process that has led us to this point. Governor Murphy calls this a high cost for high return state, but on one of the busiest weekends of the year, New Jerseyans can expect zero return for their highest in the country taxes. The NJGOP will carry this memory, in great detail, into every Election Day until we have reasonable representation minding our tax dollars.”

Following reports regarding a letter from New Jersey Attorney General Gurbir S. Grewal that a state government shutdown would force horse tracks to shut their doors, U.S. Senate candidate Bob Hugin issued the following statement:

“Governor Murphy and his Attorney General should stop playing politics and using New Jersey’s businesses, employees, and the thousands of people planning to celebrate their holiday weekend as pawns in his misguided effort to hike taxes,” said Hugin. “Instead of doubling down on failed policies that have made New Jersey unaffordable for residents, families, and businesses, Governor Murphy should work with the legislature to provide tax relief and create an environment that allows our businesses to thrive and prosper.”

Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso echoed Hugin’s comments.

“Governor Murphy should stop playing politics by threatening New Jersey’s businesses with a government shutdown over his misguided plan to hike taxes on our residents,” said DiMaso. “What he should be doing is working to provide tax relief for hard-working New Jerseyans and focusing on policies that allow our businesses to thrive.”

 

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New Jersey Public employees learn about their newfound rights

Ridgewood Teachers

June 29,2018

the staff of the Ridgewood blog

Washington DC, Yesterday was a major victory for free speech, according to AFP ,”Today is a game-changer for New Jersey and the trajectory of the country,” Americans for Prosperity [Foundation]’s Garden State director, Erica Jedynak said yesterday in a statement. “A victory for worker freedom, public employees will no longer be forced to pay union dues as a condition of employment or fund political speech against their will.”

Jim Arakelian , “So the Supreme Court ruled today that labor unions can no longer “require” members to pay dues. I wonder how far this will go. Will other professional associations also have to follow suit? Stand by on this. One thing is for sure. The State’s PBA and NJEA will lose a significant amount of political clout with this as PAC’s will now be completely voluntary and teachers, cops, and fireman, will be free to truly exercise their right to support the candidates of their choice as opposed to their unions favorite “prom date”.

Public employees can learn about their newfound rights by visiting: or calling (833) 33-MYPAY, which is a LIVE Call Center.