Hoboken Journal Report on Possible Beth Mason ELEC Violations Tim Occhipinti 4th Ward Race 11/2/2010
Conclusion 1. Beth and Ricky Mason each gave $2,600 toward Tim Occhipinti's campaign and that was within the legal limits for individual contributors at $2,600 per person. The total was $5,200 for both of them. 2. Beth Mason gave $8,200 through her campaign committee which was within the legal limits of $8,200 for a campaign committee. While it did not violate any laws it did in my opinion violate the spirit of law with the personal campaign limits and was used as a mechanism to "wheel" around those restrictions. Mayor Dawn Zimmer's proposed reforms in the draft version of the revised Pay to Play ordinance submitted at the 2/2/2011 City Council meeting, includes changes to tighten up that loophole as well as others. Beth Mason tabled the resolution at that City Council meeting. 3. Councilwoman Mason was not running for any office in November 2010 however she made 35 payments to individuals for a total amount of $5,965.00 for the purpose of “VOTER CANVASSING�. If any of these payments for "voter canvassing" were not for Congress or Sheriff then it would appear that Beth Mason has violated the ELEC laws as they pertain to the maximum allowable limits of personal and committee contributions. Given the focus of efforts by Beth Mason and her supporters on the Tim Occhipinti campaign, the Hoboken Journal finds it completely implausible that all of that additional inkind money ($5,965.00) was not spent at least partially (if not all) on Tim's campaign. Any amount spent of that $5,965.00 on Tim's campaign would result in an actual ELEC violation in the opinion of the Hoboken Journal.
Question for Media to Ask The real news media should ask the following question to any of the canvassers paid. Were any of your activities related to Tim Occhipinti's campaign? If the answer is yes, I believe we would have an ELEC violation. Is the real media up to the task?
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