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Ethics Committee Dismissed Houghtaling and Downey’s Complaint Against DiMaso

Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso

The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards dismissed a complaint by Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey against Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso today, finding that there was no probable cause for the Democrats complaint against their Republican colleague, according to reports on NewJerseyGlobe and APP.

“While this matter never stopped me from doing my job for the people of the 13th district,  I’m glad its behind me,” DiMaso said to MMM in  phone interview.

Hougtaling and Downey complained after DiMaso made a robocall into their district last year alerting the 11th district residents to the fact that their legislators voted in favor of Governor Phil Murphy’s $1.4 billion tax increases, his cuts in school funding for Monmouth County schools and cuts in support to victims of Superstorm Sandy. In the call, DiMaso encouraged residents to call their legislators at 732-695-3371 to express their displeasure.

Here’s a recording of the call:

In addition to complaining that they were getting too many phone calls that their staff had to answer, the 11th district Democrats alleged that DiMaso committed an ethics violation because the caller id for the call was that of their office, 732-695-3371. 

Assembly Members Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey

The consultant who arranged the robo call signed an affidavit stating that he mistakenly entered 732-695-3371 for the caller id, and that DiMaso had nothing to do with it.

APP reported that the committee found the call was “sloppy” but not an ethics violation.

In case you missed it, Houghtaling and Downey voted in favor of Governor Murphy’s massive tax increases, school funding cuts and a reduction of support for Sandy victims.  Their phone number is 732-695-3371.

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Posted: June 18th, 2019 | Author: | Filed under: Monmouth County News, New Jersey | Tags: , , , , , , , , | 6 Comments »

6 Comments on “Ethics Committee Dismissed Houghtaling and Downey’s Complaint Against DiMaso”

  1. Eric Houghtaling is the worst public speaker, ever said at 5:13 pm on June 18th, 2019:

    Ever hear Eric Houghtaling trying to deliver a speech or make public statement that wasn’t scripted for him to read? It hurts. He’s just not a capable guy.

    Art, you should offer to pay people $1 per video for capturing Eric Houghtaling bumbling over his own words and then produce an hours long montage of stammering, incoherent mumbling for MMM viewers to, enjoy.

    The sad part is that Eric Houghtaling seems like a nice enough, and likable, guy. Eric Houghtaling is just not capable of getting the job done for NJ’s residents, regardless of political party.

  2. Sadly, said at 9:23 pm on June 19th, 2019:

    there doesn’t seem to be either enough money, or the will of the LD 11 electorate, to care enough to take the district back with more competent people. It’s scary to wonder if we even hold on to the ( few) seats we have now. ( thanks, Chris C.,) – In a dismal turnout year,( 5% in Primary??) this should be the time to take 11 back: wake up, folks, these two need to be replaced! ( Joann, please, time to get a haircut??)..

  3. See said at 11:49 am on June 20th, 2019:

    See the problem? Of all of the things that you could constructively and accurately criticize Joann Downey for, you bring up her haircut? How lame. She doesn’t even have a bad haircut! Maybe you’re talking about someone else?

    Even 5 minutes of research and you could have named dozens of legitimate complaints and problems with Joann Downey as a legislator and leader, but instead “duh, her hair”. And then you’re probably one of the people who yell “duh, da dems are low info voters!” Her hair, yeah?

    http://www.artgallagher.com/mmmarchive/tag/joann-downey/

  4. @Sadly said at 12:02 pm on June 20th, 2019:

    Oh, trust me. There is a will to take back LD11. This can be the very year it could happen with two great candidates, disgust at Murphy and the Trenton Democrats and serious school tax increases in the district due to Houghtaling and Downey voting to support the cuts to the school aid.

    The question is, have you volunteered to help if you live in the district? You’re local Republican Organization or the County Organization will be glad to have your help.

  5. Hope you are right, said at 6:11 pm on June 20th, 2019:

    am concerned about Vin and his access to much more money. Our state committee will be spreading its thin resources to save the few seats we have left. Already helping, thank you. And you? Volunteer or paid?

  6. @ Hope said at 12:24 pm on June 21st, 2019:

    Yup. Volunteer and more.