TOMS RIVER, NJ – The Toms River Township Council has announced that the leader of the Republicans For Toms River political club, aligned with Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill, will be installed as a municipal court judge on Wednesday.
According to a resolution on the township agenda, “The Township Council Of The Township Of Toms River, County Of Ocean, State Of New Jersey Consenting To The Appointment Of Anne Hammill-Pasqua, Esquire As A Judge Of The Municipal Court Of The Township Of Toms River.”
The appointment raises concerns. That’s because Hammil-Pasqua is the political boss for the Republican club formed by Toms River Mayor Maurice Hill, Councilman Matt Lotano, and Councilman Kevin Geoghegan.
All of them lost their bid for re-election in June but will now be placing their political leader to the bench in Toms River.
The prospect of going before a judge loyal to Mo Hill and his political allies is frightening for many, especially those who have been vocal against the mayor. That’s about 75% of the entire town.
The move is another attempt at the Hill team to seat allies in positions of power before their term expires in December to ensure Hill and his closest friends have job security after the new mayor takes office in January.
According to her biography, Hammill-Pasqua specializes in representing employers, self-insured companies, and insurance carriers in workers’ compensation defense cases, including matters related to Longshore and Harbor Workers’ Compensation and Defense Base Act.
Before becoming part of the team at Capehart Scatchard, Anne gained valuable experience as a Judicial Clerk for Director/Chief Judge Paul A. Kapalko in the Division of Workers’ Compensation for the State of New Jersey. Additionally, she served as a Judicial Intern for Governor Christine Todd Whitman’s Office of the Governor and the US Attorney’s Office, further honing her legal expertise.