TOMS RIVER, NJ – In a strange political twist, the leader of the Ocean County Republican party and his affiliated Toms River Republican party is openly endorsing an NJEA Democrat party boss for the Toms River School Board who fought and lost to sue her Republican opponent to get him off the ballot.
Ocean County GOP Chairman George Gilmore and his Toms River Republicans have officially endorsed Democrat NJEA union leader Kathy Eagan over her Republican opponent George Lobman for a seat on the Toms River Regional Schools Board of Education.
Gilmore, a convicted felon who was found guilty of federal tax charges, serves as chairman of the Ocean County GOP and reportedly worked with Eagan to unsuccessfully sue Lobman in a failed attempt to remove the Republican candidate from the ballot.
Eagan withdrew her lawsuit on the first day of the trial after Lobman’s lawyers raised concerns over Eagan possibly purjuring herself. After cross-examining Eagan’s testimony, the NJEA leader withdrew her lawsuit.
A financial power play for the multi-million dollar health insurance contract for the district?
Gilmore, the top Republican in Ocean County, is no stranger to supporting Democrats. He held a political fundraiser for former Democratic Governor James McGreevey earlier this year and works as a consultant for a Democratic-aligned political lobbying firm owned by Phil Norcross, the brother of George Norcross.
Norcross is the owner of Conner, Strong, and Buckelew, the embattled public insurance firm that has faced legal and criminal challenges over the years.
They’re all convicts
The Toms River School District does not use the firm for its health insurance needs. After the fall of former Superintendent Michael Ritacco, the district, along with Ritacco and insurance broker Francis X Gartland, was also sentenced to prison on federal corruption charges.
Gilmore reportedly is a consultant for the health insurance firm, with many in the Ocean County GOP establishment claiming the chairman gets residuals on all contracts the firm lands in Ocean County, but this has yet to be confirmed.
Toms River school board member drops ballot challenge after perjury concern
Democrat Kathy Eagan, an incumbent school board member and former president of the Toms River branch of the NJEA teachers union has abruptly withdrawn her lawsuit in court which sought to remove her Republican opponent, George Lobman from the ballot.
A high-stakes ballot fight in Ocean County came to an abrupt end this week when Toms River Regional school board member Kathy Eagan, a former NJEA leader, withdrew her lawsuit to disqualify her opponent after facing questions about contradictory testimony that could have led to a perjury charge.
In the opening moments of the court case, a motion filed by lawyers for the defense questioned Eagan’s involvement and contradictory statements given during previous testimony. When confronted in court with these contradictory pieces of evidence, Eagan refused to testify under oath and quickly withdrew her case, court documents show.
Eagan, who is seeking her third term on the board, had filed an Order to Show Cause aimed at removing challenger George Lobman from the November ballot. Her lawsuit alleged Lobman falsified his nominating petition by certifying that he personally collected voter signatures when, according to witnesses, others circulated the petition. A notary, was also accused of improperly notarizing the document.
But during a September 4 hearing, when pressed on whether she would testify under oath about conflicting statements, Eagan abruptly withdrew the case, ending the legal battle before it could proceed further.
The withdrawal clears the way for Lobman to remain on the ballot. Local officials said the county must finalize election ballots soon, and the decision ensures voters will have a choice between Eagan, Lobman, and a third candidate in the upcoming race.
Toms River Mayor Dan Rodrick, who Eagan accused of mishandling voting ballots said he is relieved that Eagan’s attempt to remove her opponent through an apparent mistruth has been brought to light and that Democracy will continue uninterrupted.
“This is how democracy should work,” said Mayor Daniel Rodrick, who was also named in the filing. “There will be a stark contrast between the two candidates, and I say let the voters decide.”
Perjury, Dishonesty, or Willful Deception?
According to a court document filed on Tuesday by Lobman’s lawyer, the defense questioned the intent and statements previously made by Eagan and her alleged “victim” identied in court papers as “Ms. Musso”.
Eagan claimed that Ms. Musso was misled by the petioners, saying she did not know what she was signing, however knew enough about what she was signing to bring her concerns to Eagan to file a lawsuit.
“I was not informed that the petition was for George Lobman’s candidacy at the time of signing,” Ms Musso said in testimony.
” Even if true, this does not provide any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Rodrick, Mr. Lobman or Ms. O’Toole. Nowhere in Ms. Musso’s Certification does she claim any defendant made any misrepresentations (or in fact, any representations whatsoever). It simply raises the question as to why Ms. Musso would sign something when she now claims not to know what she was signing and how it came about that she provided plaintiff Eagan with her Certification,” the lawyers responded.
“I was not informed that the petition was for George Lobman’s candidacy at the time of signing.” Even if true, this does not provide any wrongdoing on the part of Mr. Rodrick, Mr. Lobman or Ms. O’Toole. Nowhere in Ms. Musso’s Certification does she claim any defendant made any misrepresentations (or in fact, any representations whatsoever). It simply raises the question as to why Ms. Musso would sign something when she now claims not to know what she was signing and how it came about that she provided plaintiff Eagan with her Certification. “It simply raises the question as to why Ms. Musso would sign something when she now claims not to know what she was signing and how it came about that she provided plaintiff Eagan with her Certification.”
Lobman, a former Toms River Councilman, is running to restore stability to the Toms River School District, which has been facing financial problems under the current leadership.
