“Fake News” Outlet with History of Misinformation Pulls Slanderous Posts About Toms River Mayor After Served with Cease & Desist
JCEN, a fire and emergency scanner news page in Ocean County, made several posts, and the mayor claims that they are defamatory and go beyond fair criticism of a political figure.
The letter highlighted the potential legal consequences of these allegations if they are not removed. It stated that the posts qualify as slander per se, which allows for monetary damages without the need to prove reputational harm.
When asked about the page, Rodrick said, “They’re fake news.”
In one post, the page operator falsely claimed with certainty that Mayor Rodrick personally ordered the euthanization of all cats and dogs at the troubled Toms River Animal Shelter. Another post claimed Rodrick was ‘stealing campaign signs.
Both claims, Rodrick said, are completely false.
In late February, JCEN started another firestorm with a false report claiming that busloads of illegal immigrants were being dropped off in Toms River. A claim debunked by the Ocean County Sheriff’s Department. It was determined that the bus drivers were spending the night at the motel after a long trip.
Rodrick added that it’s not just anonymous Facebook pages using false claims to slander him.
“The worst part of this is that once credible news outlets like News 12, Patch, and Jersey Shore Online are giving these people an audience without even fact-checking their ridiculous lies,” Rodrick said. “You would think established news outlets would stay out of the political space and maintain neutrality, but they’re simply regurgitating fake news and false claims being made by these people who are hell-bent on burning down Toms River unless their people are in office.”
State records show that Jersey Shore Online and Toms River Patch each received compensation for campaign advertisements from Mo Hill-aligned political campaigns.
Rodrick said several people showed up at his family’s house over the weekend and stood at the corner for hours.
“It’s so bizarre,” Rodrick continued. “It’s also unsettling that my kids and family have to worry about a politically driven mob that seems to have no limits or boundaries.”
He said the post even led to people who truly believed he was euthanizing animals to dox him and his wife.
“They doxed our home address and my wife’s and my cell phone numbers. Then they said I had all of the animals at the shelter killed and told people to go to my house. It was a grotesque lie,” the mayor said.
Rodrick’s letter called for an immediate retraction and removal of the false posts.
Hours after receiving the cease and desist letter, JCEN removed the two posts noted in it. The operators of the page did not make a comment on the matter.
“We write in regard to the false and defamatory statements made by you and/or the Administrator of the JCEN about Mr. Rodrick on your Facebook Page, JCEN, alleging, without any factual basis, that Mr. Rodick is ordering for the animals at the shelter to be euthanized and speaking in a heartless and crude language, and theft. We hereby demand that you cease and remove the publication of any such statements,” Coronato wrote in the letter.
In a formal cease and desist letter dated June 8, Joseph D. Coronato, Jr., of Coronato Law, has been retained to represent Mayor Daniel T. Rodrick against alleged defamatory statements made by JCEN. The law firm demands immediate removal of all content deemed damaging to Mr. Rodrick’s reputation from their Facebook page.
The dispute arises from posts on the JCEN Facebook page, which falsely accused Mr. Rodrick of ordering the euthanization of shelter animals and engaging in theft. The letter refutes these claims, noting Mr. Rodrick’s status as an animal lover and his involvement in transferring animals to a better-equipped facility.
An incident involving campaign signs was mentioned. Mr. Rodrick was wrongfully accused of stealing “Bill Byrne for Council” signs. According to the letter, Mr. Rodrick merely supported Byrne’s campaign, not engaged in theft. A photo shared by JCEN clearly shows Rodrick with a handful of signs for his supported candidate.
“Indeed, these baseless statements were issued maliciously and are intended to embarrass, intimidate, and harass Mr. Rodrick and cause him reputational harm. Mr. Rodrick is an avid animal lover and has two dogs in his family. The conditions at the Toms River Animal Shelter were well below standards at a significant cost to the Township Taxpayers,” Coronato, the former Ocean County Prosecutor, wrote. “Your purposeful dissemination of false and damaging information about Mr. Rodrick is an unfair and unfounded attempt to destroy his reputation and successes as Toms River Mayor. This is unacceptable, and Mr. Rodrick will not stand by while you perpetuate false statements that fit your own political angle.”
During the 2024 GOP primary election, JCEN openly endorsed and supported former Mo Hill running mate Kevin Geoghegan.
“This page is run by people who want Mo Hill and his team back in office,” Rodrick said. “These posts went beyond political speech and well into slander and libel for categorically false claims. It shows that the former mayor and his team will stop at nothing to get back into office.”
