A current legislative aide to Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez and former chief of staff to multiple New Jersey political figures was arrested on Election Day in Elizabeth and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and obstruction, according to a police report.
A longtime New Jersey political operative and current legislative aide in the State Assembly was arrested following a confrontation with police during an Election Day campaign dispute in Elizabeth, according to an Elizabeth Police Department incident report.
Justin Shoham, 38, was charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and obstructing the administration of law following the June 2 incident near Woodruff Circle Park and Jefferson Park.
Shoham currently serves as a legislative aide to Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez of New Jersey’s 20th Legislative District. He previously served as chief of staff to then-Assemblyman Raj Mukherji, chief of staff to then-Union County Sheriff Joe Cryan, and also worked as a political staffer for U.S. Rep. Frank Pallone Jr.
Dispute Centered on Campaign Sign Placement
According to the police report, officers were dispatched after receiving complaints about political advertisements being displayed on city property at Woodruff Circle Park and Jefferson Park in Elizabeth.
An officer reported observing a large political sign measuring approximately four feet by eight feet positioned near the intersection of Jackson Avenue and Mary Street. Four women wearing political campaign shirts were near the sign when police arrived.
The officer stated that the women were advised political signs could not be displayed on municipal property and were directed to remove the advertisement.
According to the report, Shoham later arrived on an electric scooter and was informed of the city’s ordinance regarding political signs on public property. Police said Shoham argued that he was not interested in alternative locations and was repeatedly advised not to obstruct the sidewalk.
The report states the campaign sign was large enough to occupy the width of the sidewalk and prevent pedestrians from walking through the area.
Police Allege Confrontation Escalated
The responding officer wrote that Shoham remained at the location and engaged in verbal exchanges with officers and campaign workers.
According to the report, officers allege Shoham made derogatory remarks and accused police of wrongdoing. The officer stated that Shoham referred to him as a “brown shirt” and compared him to Nazi-era figures while disputing the sign removal.
Approximately 30 minutes later, police said several campaign workers left the area and Shoham remained nearby.
The report states Shoham told officers he intended to help a female campaign worker put the sign back up after police left. When an officer again advised him the sign could not be placed on city property, police allege Shoham ignored commands and picked up the sign.
Arrest and Charges
According to the report, officers attempted to take Shoham into custody after he allegedly refused repeated commands to stop handling the sign.
Police allege Shoham resisted arrest by refusing to place his hands behind his back and by pulling his arms away from officers. The report states an officer delivered a knee strike to Shoham’s torso during the struggle and that Shoham attempted to kick an officer while being restrained.
Shoham was ultimately taken into custody and transported from the scene.
The police report lists the following charges:
- Aggravated Assault on a Law Enforcement Officer (2C:12-1B(5)(A))
- Resisting Arrest (2C:29-2A(1))
- Obstructing the Administration of Law (2C:29-1A)
Case Remains Pending
The incident occurred on Election Day while campaign activity was taking place in Elizabeth. According to information provided with the report, Shoham was campaigning on behalf of Jose Rodriguez, the brother of Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez.
Court records were not immediately available regarding the current status of the case.
Key Points
• Legislative aide Justin Shoham was arrested on Election Day in Elizabeth and charged with aggravated assault on a law enforcement officer, resisting arrest, and obstruction.
• Police say the incident stemmed from a dispute over the placement of a large political campaign sign on city property.
• Shoham previously served as chief of staff to Raj Mukherji and Joe Cryan and currently works for Assemblyman Ed Rodriguez. The charges remain pending.