Trenton, NJ – Republican gubernatorial candidate Jack Ciattarelli’s campaign on Friday escalated its attacks on Congresswoman Mikie Sherrill, demanding she release her full disciplinary and academic records from the U.S. Naval Academy tied to what has been described as the largest honor code scandal in the institution’s history.
The Ciattarelli campaign issued a statement after claiming Sherrill “was forced to admit” she had been implicated and punished during the 1994 scandal, which centered on allegations of widespread cheating on an Electrical Engineering exam in 1992. The campaign noted her absence from the Academy’s official commencement program and questioned why she was barred from participating in graduation ceremonies.
In its statement, the campaign pressed Sherrill to authorize the release of documents including Naval Inspector General reports, Honor Board proceedings, NCIS investigation files, and disciplinary records. Ciattarelli’s team also referenced a Freedom of Information Act request to the National Archives, which it says acknowledged a clerical error regarding records but did not resolve questions about Sherrill’s role.
“New Jersey and national press have an obligation to demand and pressure Congresswoman Sherrill – who recently pledged to run the most transparent government in state history – to release her records so the truth can be known by all New Jerseyans,” the campaign said.
The allegations date back more than three decades to the Naval Academy’s 1992 Electrical Engineering 331 exam scandal, which drew national scrutiny and resulted in disciplinary actions against dozens of midshipmen. The Ciattarelli campaign listed multiple categories of documents it says should be made public, including any correspondence from Navy officials, members of Congress, or others relating to Sherrill.
Sherrill, a Democrat and former Navy helicopter pilot, has previously defended her record at the Academy and in the military. Her campaign has not yet issued a response to Ciattarelli’s latest demands.
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Key Points
- Jack Ciattarelli’s gubernatorial campaign called on Rep. Mikie Sherrill to release full Naval Academy records tied to a 1994 cheating scandal.
- The campaign cited her absence from the Academy’s commencement program and raised questions about disciplinary actions.
- Sherrill has not yet publicly responded to the new demands.
The fight over past scandals is now shaping up as a defining flashpoint in New Jersey’s governor’s race.