MIDDLETOWN, NJ – Nicholas Babcock is running for office for a seat on the Middletown Council against Republican Kimberly Kratz. Now, his opponents are saying that a past criminal conviction in Arizona should disqualify him to run for public office.
Babcock disputed the claim and said it wasn’t him.
According to public records, in 2007, 14 years ago, a Nicholas Babcock was arrested in Arizona in Maricopa County. The man in Arizona had the same birthday as the New Jersey version of Babcock. His mugshot even looked like a version of the Middletown Babcock running for office.
Middletown Democrats responded to the allegations.
“The Middletown Democrats were recently made aware of accusations against Middletown Democratic Candidate Nicholas Babcock, claiming he has a criminal history from decades ago in another state,” a statement from Middletown Democratic Chairman Mike Morris read. “While Mr. Babcock vehemently denies these allegations, we have a responsibility to our party and to the residents of the township of Middletown to prove the inaccuracies of these claims.”
Babcock, the one in Arizona that looks quite similar to the one in New Jersey was ordered to pay Bank of America $1,296 and Qwest Communications $459.
The Democrats are now conducting their own background check on Babcock. Bill signed into law in 2017 prohibits felons from serving in office in the State of New Jersey. Under New Jersey, forgery is a felony crime. In Arizona, most forgery charges are class 4 felonies. Babcock also plead guilty to a felony charge of possession of a forgery device.