Anthony Chiappone Charged with Campaign Finance Misconduct

by Scott Wu | August 26, 2009 at 12:38 pm

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New Jersey Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone and his wife were charged with campaign finance misconduct by funneling state-issued paychecks for legislative aide into Chiappone's 2005 Assembly campaign account. State Attorney General Anne Milgram said Chiappone issued $7,532 paychecks to a legislative aide who subsequently donated all the money to the campaign. Chiappone and his wife were charged to have used $4,299, more than half of that money, for personal purpose, and the rest were not reported to the Election Law Enforcement Commission.

“We charge that Assemblyman Chiappone and his wife conspired to have the state issue more than $8,000 in paychecks for legislative aides, knowing that the money was really destined for the couple's own pockets or his re-election campaign,” said Attorney General Milgram. “This indictment chronicles a betrayal of the public trust by this elected official.”

The counts are for conspiracy, official misconduct, theft by deception, tampering with public records or information, falsifying or tampering with records, and concealment or misrepresentation of contributions or expenditures

Chiappone represents the 31st legislative district alongside Assemblyman L. Harvey Smith, who was arrested in July's corruption and money laundering sting that netted 44 people.

Chiappone's lawyer Tim Howes said both Chiappone and his wife intend to plead not guilty and "vigorously contest the charges".

Chiappone is running for reelction in November this year.

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