08/24/2009MON17~13

FAX

6096339252ETHICS5055~002/003

Stateof

New

Jersey

STATE

ETHICSCOMMISSrON

JonS.Corzine

POBox082

GQvernor

Trenton,NJ086:ZS-()08Z www.nj.govlc.[hjc~

PaulaA.Franzese,Esq.

Chair

KarhleenC.Wiechnik,Esq.

executCve

Dlreaor

August24,2009

Tel;(609)29M891

(888)223-/355

Fax:(609)633-9252

t:tnail;

NhlCS@elhlcs.stale.l1j.us

EdwardG.WernerStrawbridgeProfessionalCenter212WestRoute38,Suite200Moorestown,NJ08057DearMr.Werner:IamwritinginresponsetoyourJune21,2009letterregardingStateEthicsCommission("Commission")staffmemberJeffreyStoolman,YourlettercontainsvariouscriticismsofaninvestigationconductedbytheCommission,includingfailuretorecuseandacriminalallegationofofficialmisconduct.TheCommission'sinvestigationwasconductedinaccordancewithestablished practiceandsoundinvestigativeprocedures.AreviewofthefactssurroundingtherecusalissueconfirmsthestaffsinitialconclusionthattherewasnobasisintheConflictsLawortheCommission'sregulationsfortherccusalthatyouhavesuggestedwasnecessary.YourcharacterizationofthcrelationshipbetweenMr.Stoolmanandaformermember

theVCeBisnotsupportedbytheevidence.Mattersinvolvingallegationsofcriminalactivityareriotwithinthejurisdictionof theCommission.Inappropriatecircumstances,theCommissionrefersallegationsofcriminalactivitytolawenforcementauthorities,Ofcourse,theCommissionmaintainsconfidentialitywithrespecttosuchreferrals.Ifyoubelievethatyourallegationswarrantacriminalinvestigation,youarcfreetoreferthemattertoappropriatelawenforcement authorities.YouhaveindicatedthattheCommissionowesyouanaccountingoftheresourcesutilizedinconnectionwithitsinvestigation.Iamunawareofanystatutoryorregulatoryauthorityforyourrequest.However,theCommissiondoeshaveastatutoryobligationtoconductaproperandthroughinvestigationofalleged.violationsoftheConflictsLawortheCodeofEthics.Intheinstantmatter,theCommissionutilizedtheresourcesnecessarytofullyinvestigatethematterandbringittoanappropriateconclusion.

New

Jersey

IsAn

EqualOpportunity

t;rnp/oy<Jr.

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