TRENTON, NJ – James J. Devine, a 62-year-old political campaign manager from Lambertville, Hunterdon County, faces charges following an indictment for allegedly attempting to fraudulently secure a candidate on the Democratic primary ballot for the 2021 New Jersey gubernatorial race. Announced by Attorney General Matthew J. Platkin and the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, the indictment was handed down by a state grand jury in Trenton on March 12.
Devine is charged with three counts: offenses concerning nomination certificates or petitions, tampering with public records or information, and falsifying or tampering with records. These charges stem from his efforts in April 2021 to place a candidate in the June 8 Democratic nomination for governor.
Attorney General Platkin emphasized the importance of fair elections and the integrity of the electoral process, stating that election fraud undermines public trust in democracy. Thomas J. Eicher, Executive Director of the Office of Public Integrity and Accountability, echoed this sentiment, affirming the state’s commitment to addressing election misconduct.
The investigation revealed that Devine allegedly submitted approximately 1,948 fraudulent voter certifications in an attempt to qualify his candidate for the primary ballot. This effort was challenged by the New Jersey Democratic State Committee, leading to a hearing where Administrative Law Judge Jeffrey N. Rabin removed the candidate from the ballot due to the fraudulent petitions.
Devine is accused of uploading false voter information and submitting these petitions without the voters’ authorization. The charges he faces include potential prison time and significant fines, reflecting the seriousness with which New Jersey treats election integrity and fraud.