Committee to Recall Brian Brady

Reasons to Recall Brian Brady

327 WEST SHORE TRL. SPARTA NJ 07871

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(1150 votes) Faulkner Election (05/09/2006)

(1323 votes) Run-off Election (06/13/2006)

Malfeasance:

• Deputy Mayor Brian Brady, as President of the Babe Ruth Baseball League in Sparta, leases, and is responsible for, four vending machines in Station Park, which are not, and have NOT been compliant with the existing ordinance in our opinion. He has been allowing Mayor Spekhardt and Councilman Goldberg, along with the Township Manager, to try to initiate another ordinance, solely to cover these illegal machines. This is a direct conflict of interest. Moreover, while serving as Councilman and Deputy Mayor has hidden the fact that he had unauthorized access to Township property and placed vending machines at Station Park for the sole purpose of benefiting his baseball organization by circumventing the approval process thus creating a conflict of interest. (TC Minutes 6/26/07 pg.2, 10/23/07 pg.1, 11/27/07 pg.2, 12/11/07 pg.2&3, 1/8/08 pg.2, 2/26/08 pg.3&4)

These are the Town Council minutes from February 26, 2008

Vending Machine Ordinance:
Mr. Underhill stated that the ordinance was referred to the Planning Board and they have made comments.

Councilman Murphy stated that there were ordinances already on the books that addressed vending machines and he felt that the current proposed ordinance was an attempt to circumvent the existing ordinances in order to legitimize some vending machines that were placed in Station Park in non-compliance.

Mr. Underhill stated that it was HIS decision to allow the vending machines in Station Park about seven or eight years ago. He stated that a Board of Health permit had not been issued over the past several years because it was in conflict with the zoning ordinance. Mr. Underhill stated that the zoning ordininace indicated that the machines could not be publicaly displayed and that was why the amendment was being proposed.

Mr. Ryan, the Township Attorney, stated that the proposed ordinance did not lift the responsibility of getting written permission from the Director of Recreation, or a permit from the Health Department.

Councilman Seelagy stated that he didn't feel having vending machines located in Station Park was a bad thing provided it did not conflict with licensing and health requirements.

Councilman Goldberg stated that he was fine with the proposed ordinance and did not see a point to Councilman Murphy's comments.

Mayor Spekhardt stated that he was also in agreement with the proposed ordinance.

After Council discussion, a decision was made to introduce the ordinance at the next Council meeting.

• Councilman Brady approached the Captain of the Sparta Volunteer Ambulance Squad in 2007 with plans for the Township to take it over, and charge residents for its transportation services. Currently it is a free service. He had already contacted outside sources for approvals, and plans on initiating the change in the near future. (TC Minutes 3/27/07 pg. 7&8) As shown on our website, the March 27, 2007 TC minutes state that
  "Brady wanted to investigate further the billing for the use of the ambulance vehicle AND for the transportation of the patient."

• 
  Councilman Brady endorsed a plan for Sparta Township to artificially turf the field at Station Park, which then could be leased on a long-term basis by the Board of Ed, in our opinion specifically to avoid a referendum by the citizens.Sparta taxpayers, inessence, will be paying for the same field twice. (TC Minutes 5/22/07 pg.7, Sparta BoE Newsletter 10/07)

• Deputy Mayor Brady voted in favor of purchasing the Limecrest Quarry, without voter knowledge or approval, and without due diligence–incurring a huge liability upon the citizens of Sparta. The ensuing lawsuit (21 counts) down now to (17 counts) is wasting taxpayers money on legal defense (including some of the plaintiff’s legal expenses already awarded by the courts), yes the other side won legal expenses and will doubtless continue for years until a settlement is reached–which we will also be responsible for paying. (NJ Herald 3/6/08, Sparta Ind. 3/13/08)

Unethical:

• Deputy Mayor Brady voted to double the fees in Sparta, only, for licensing animals. None of the other towns we contract out in 2007- Hardyston, Ogdensburg, or Fredon – is affected by the 100% increase. (TC Minutes 2/27/07pg.4, Animal Ordinance Adopted 2/27/07)

• Deputy Mayor Brady stated that COUNCIL authorized the Township Manager’s garbage proposition to go out to bid. Both Councilmen Seelagy and Murphy have stated that the Township Manager never sought their input before sending it out. (TC Minutes 12/1/07 pg.2)

• As a newly elected Councilman, in our opinion manipulated his way to become the Council liaison to the Recreation Committee for the purpose of gaining control of a recreation field for an organization (Babe Ruth Baseball) of which he is the paid president and treasurer, thereby creating a public perception of a conflict of interest. Certificates of Insurance for 2004 and 2006 were missing from the OPRA request.
  

• While serving as Councilman, in our opinion has continually been untruthful with information he has supplied to both the Recreation Director and Committee with the intent of gaining preferential treatment of field use for his baseball organization, particularly all-star teams which benefit players from outside the Township.

Broken campaign promises:

Brian Brady told the Sparta Independent that "Accountability is lacking in our local government. The current Council does what it wants with our tax dollars without regard for our consideration. Millions of dollars; this must stop! I would NEVER agree to spending millions of taxpayer dollars on infrastructure changes without voter input and approval." See Sparta Independent 5/04/06.

In the same article "This is our community and we all have a say, not just the five members of the Council. If I am elected to Council, you will ALWAYS be heard."

And also "...I am very much in favor of the citizens of the Township having the final voice, unlike the new Town Hall and the new Firehouse which was approved by Township Council and we were taxed to fund without having that voice." See Limecrest, White Lake (purchase and updates), turfed fields, ambulance takeover, health dept. merger, and proposed PAL building and stadium complex!

"I would like to give voters a choice before we spend millions of taxpayers' dollars. That does not go on today." Just as true today! See Star Ledger 5/3/06.

Deputy Mayor Brian Brady had this to say about voters who oppose him: "(They are) misguided, confused, and arrogant!" He ought to know! Sparta Independent 3/13/08.

Brian Brady stated that a lot of people felt that the Town's ability to communicate was lacking, and that people wanted to be more involved. He stated that he saw it as the community giving ideas to the governing body. TC minutes 11/21/06

"Any large infrastructure projects should be approved by the citizens of Sparta."(NJ Herald 6/11/06)

"We work for you...we’re your voice." (NJ Herald 7/7/06)

"We need to get a weekly message to the citizens." (NJ Herald 6/11/06)

Betrayed the citizens’ trust:

• In our opinion Deputy Mayor Brady has broken the trust that the citizens of Sparta had placed in him. He has been less than honest. He has frivolously spent millions of Township dollars without voter approval. The White Lake property cost $1.45 million, and yet another $1 million is needed for improvements. The Limecrest Quarry cost $2.45 million–but is certain to escalate with the ensuing litigation. Although we taxpayers of Sparta have an overly heavy tax burden, and have yet to begin paying for the new $71.5 million high school, Deputy Mayor Brady is staunchly in favor of building a proposed stadium complex for $1-2 million, and a P.A.L. building big enough to house two gymnasiums, and then some. (TC Minutes 7/10/07 pg.2, 11/8/07 pg.4, 11/27/07 pg.8, 12/11/07 pg.1, 1/8/08 pg.2&3)

Unanswered Questions?

-WHY did Sparta authorize the issuance of $13,973,865 in bond anticipation notes on May 15, 2008? How much is THAT going to cost us? Are we so broke that we can't carry on the business of the Township on our tax receipts alone? TC minutes 5/15/08

-WHY is it that Byram can purchase $4.25 million worth of land, and spend only $212,000 of their own budget; but when Sparta buys land (like the $2.45 million Limecrest Quarry), we pay full fare? The reason seems to be that Byram spent much time and effort in obtaining monies from the Sussex County Open Space Trust Fund, the NJ Green Acres Program, the NJ Conservancy Foundation, and the Morris Land Conservancy. WHY DIDN'T SPARTA? (NJHerald 5/7/08)

-WHY didthe Township Council complain about spending $17,000 for a public referendum, and one month later pass an ordinance giving themselves--the non-union municipal workforce--a salary increase of $355,000? Paid for, compliments of us, the taxpayers! (TC 2008 Budget Message)

-WHY is it, that when THREE Councilmen asked Manager Underhill on October 9, 2007 for a statistical report showing numbers and response times of our Police Department, he responded "That is more information than should be made privy to the public!" (This information is NOT available in the Town Council minutes--you'll have to get the CD and listen to the unedited text). Our Police Dept. is some 40 strong, and WE pay for their Police Academy training, their uniforms, their vests, their guns, their cars and accompanying equipment, and some very nice salaries and benefits, too. WE HAVE A RIGHT TO KNOW!!! By the way--in the February 13, 2007 Town Council minutes, Chief Reigstad told the Council that the average response time was, at that time, SEVEN MINUTES. Why is it a big secret, some eight months and two more policemen later?

-WHY is it that Councilman Brady in November of 2006 (when they were deciding to merge our health department with that of the County) stated that a lot of people felt that the Town's ability to communicate was lacking and that people wanted to be more involved. He stated at that time that he "saw it as the community giving ideas to the governing body." We're STILL trying to communicate--and they're STILL not listening!!! (TC minutes 11/21/06)

-WHY is it that on November 21, 2006 Mayor Goldberg specifically said that "because of the recently approved school referendum, the Council had to be careful about spending more taxpayers dollars on expensive projects," and then went on to purchase White Lake for $1.45 million, put another $1 million into its "phase I" updates, and purchase the Limecrest Quarry for yet another $2.45 million (PLUS lawsuit)--just months before the tax bill for that new high school addition is put onto our tax bills?

-WHY when as Mayor, Goldberg proposed using the Township website to communicate with the people via a "Mayor's Corner"--that all the Township Council agreed that the column would be informational only, and would NOT be used for political purposes. (See TC minutes 11/21/06) Yet, our current Mayor Spekhardt used it for exactly that purpose! Township website--oh, no--they've taken it off the website!!

-WHY is it, that during the break in the garbage meeting on December 1st at the High School, Deputy Mayor Brady can be heard telling someone in the background that "This may have been a mistake; it may get them better organized." This discussion has also been "cleansed" from the Town Council minutes, so please, do get the CD--and listen to it yourself unless the official copy gets somehow 'damaged.' But we have one!

-WHY did the council raise the tax cap from 2.5% (allowed by law) to 3.5% by approving an ordinance that states "The township council hereby determines that a 1.0% increase in the budget for said year, amounting to $135,458.37 in excess of the increase in final appropriation otherwise permitted by the Local Government Cap Law." The answer might be, so they could up the property tax increase to 7% this year! (Sparta Independent 4/19/07)

-WHY does the 2008 budget utilize 100% of the available fund balance--meaning that there could be a cash flow difficulty in July? Perhaps we've purchased too much land this year? (Sparta Independent 4/10/08)

-WHY when considering a merger with the county's health department, did one woman feel she had to comment to the council "Are you (council members) really hearing us out here? I feel you're just looking at me and saying 'Okay lady, go away, the vote is already settled.'" (Sparta Indpendent 1/25/07)

-WHY was that same feeling re-iterated at the garbage proposal discussion, on December 1, 2007, when another woman asked the Council if their assertions that they definitely had NOT made up their minds yet were actually true, then WHY was there a police presence in the room--for the first time ever? Not in TC minutes--you'll have to hear it on the CD for yourself!

-WHY would we need to build a community center at all, when Dr. Morton himself said that the new high school would become a "true community center," with spaces for community groups and events." (Star Ledger 9/17/06)

-WHY did our Township Council vote to close the Township's Health Department to save between $7 and $9 a year in property taxes-- yet supported the synthetic turf proposal at the high school, which would raise our property taxes $27 a year (for a $300,000 home)? (Sparta Independent 5/4/06)

-WHY according to Ralph D'Aries, did Manager Underhill ORDER Mr. D'Aries NOT to speak at an open town council meeting? Certainly, he had the right to address the public! (TC minutes 1/9/07)

-WHY is it, that when Mayor Goldberg addressed the issue of opinion polls, he stated that ANY kind of survey needed to have AT LEAST 1,000 replies for it to be useful to the Council. (TC minutes 2/13/07) But, when the secret garbage survey was all tolled, there were fewer than 900 votes to be counted, and that was considered a valid study? (TC minutes 11/8/07)

-WHY is it, that if you go back into the Township Council minutes to October 9, 2007, you can see where Henry Underhill had already gotten two garbage bids, and he proposed that it would cost a flat $215 per house, and he anticipated "no more than $10 in administration costs (per house)! The administration costs are already up 150%--currently standing at $25 per household. That's almost $100,000 extra profit yearly!!

-WHY did the Mayor and ONLY two Councilmen meet at 7 o’clock in the morning at Town Hall on Tuesday 11/13/07 and approve over $4 MILLION worth of expenditures? Where was the public oversight? (TC Minutes 11/13/07 pg.1)

-WHY can’t we get a thorough accounting of the EXACT price that WE PAID for our new Municipal Building? Mayor Spekhardt asked for a price at the Council Meeting of 10/09/07, but the matter was never mentioned in public again. A subsequent OPRA request was submitted, and Denied by the Township clerk. We have a right to know! (TC Minutes 10/9/07 pg.12)

-WHY did the Township remove the original garbage ordinance from its "Recent Township Ordinances" page, and replace it with their own news letter interpretation (which had already been mailed, at our expense, to every "Postal Patron" in Sparta on 12/20/07)? We should be able to read the ordinance ourselves, as it is written. (Removed the week of 3/11/08)

-WHY does the Township have a "Recent Township Ordinances" page showing thirty (30) new ordinances in 2007, when we, the taxpayers, can only access seventeen (17) of them? Why can’t we view the other thirteen (13)? (Township web page)

-WHY did Judge Bozonelis the highest Judge in Sussex/Morris County have to admonish Sparta for not complying with the Open Public Meetings Act and the Open Public Records Act? This is OUR town, and we have a right to know everything that’s happening in it! (NJ Herald 3/6/08)

-WHY is it that Sparta Township bought 172 acres of Limecrest Quarry, but when you add up only the Blocks and Lots in Sparta that were purchased, the acreage is closer to 205 acres? Not including the parcel in Lafayette which will bring the acreage even higher. Perhaps a little more time should have been spent doing their due diligence before entangling us in this legal nightmare?(Purchase Agreement Dated 8/28/07)

-WHY doesn’t Sparta Township ask for or accept any input regarding the outrageous spending going on here in our Town? Why aren’t they required to go to a public referendum before spending such large amounts of OUR money? (Nj Herald 5/7/06 & 6/11/06)

-WHY did Sparta start doing its own financial audits? Wouldn’t it be smarter to have someone outside the organization checking into its accounting practices? (TC Minutes 4/24/07 pg.7 & auditors letter 6/15/07)

-WHY is it that while the Council was still debating whether or not to buy, or rent a pump for Sparta to have in case of emergency, that the Township Council removed $280,000 from OUR General Capital Surplus Fund for this purpose. But, when it was decided NOT to buy the pump, that only $15,000 was returned to the Fund? Where is the other $265,000? (TC Minutes 8/28/07 pg.10)

-WHY is it that on June 26, 2007, Mayor Goldberg received 150 signed petitions from the residents of Sparta Commons regarding their inordinately high sewerage bills to find their plea fell on deaf ears? If those who use the White Deer Sewage System pay ONLY for how much they use, WHY are the people of Sparta Commons (and Main Street, and Glen Road, and Woodport Road, and Round top, and Sparta Ave., and Newton-Sparta Road) charged $306 per EDU (that being a 3 bedroom home), per 90 day cycle, assessed at 250 gallons a day? That comes to OVER $1220 yearly! (TC Minutes 6/26/07 pg.9)

-WHY are our Township leaders deciding what to do with the old Firehouses? Should we sell, or rent, or use them for a community/teen center? We want some input! (TC Minutes 10/9/07 pg.4&5, 11/8/07 pg.3)

-WHY is it that Township Manager Henry Underhill instructed the Fields Use Task Force to look at building a synthetic turf field in Station Park, and leasing it to the BOE? The answer seems to be that "the BOE could then avoid a referendum and capital project, and vote on this lease as a line item in its annual budget!" If we give Sparta the tax dollars to put this turf in, who is going to pay the BOE to pay the lease? WHY shouldn’t the citizens get to decide if they want to spend this money once, twice, or NOT AT ALL! (BOE Newsletter 10/07 & TC Minutes 12/11/07 pg.1)

-WHY has the Township Council invoked the Open Public Meetings Act in 24 of the last 26 Council meetings–thus excluding the public from any and all discussion–stating that the "subject matter will be made public when deemed appropriate." WHEN will it be appropriate? Who decides WHEN we’ll be told how much money we just spent for another land purchase? We want to have these records be made public! (TC Minutes between 10/10/06 & 9/25/07)

-WHY is it that--when Sparta provided the animal control services for Ogdensburg, Fredon and Hardyston, as well as for ourselves–that WE were the only ones who ended up with a 100% increase in our cat and dog licensing fees? Isn’t that inequitable? (TC Minutes 2/27/07 pg.4)

-WHY is it that, after we Americans fought so long and hard for our civil liberties, that the Police were summoned, and hassled both petitioners and those just handing out informational flyers–when it is a right granted to us under the First Amendment? This freedom of speech is not a new idea–we’ve have had these rights since 1791! (US Bill of Rights)

-WHY would one not think that if Sparta Township is able to increase the water Utility fees from $3.50 per thousand gallons to $4.40 per thousand gallons a 25% increase in March of 2007 (PLUS their hefty quarterly service charge) in one stroke of the pen– that they won’t do the same to the price of a Garbage Utility in the future?(TC Minutes 3/27/07 pg.5, New Ordinance passed 3/27/07)

-WHY is it that even when you go to the official minutes of the Township Council, that the ordinances are so sketchy that you’re not really sure what they’re talking about? As in, "an ordinance to amend Chapter 7, traffic?" Or, an ordinance pertaining to Block___ and Lot___? One motions, another seconds, and voila! It’s another new ordinance perpetrated upon us (and right in front of us)! WHY don’t we have LIVE streaming video online, that we can watch from our homes and know what’s going on in our own local government? Wasn’t that another campaign promise from back in 2006?(NJ Herald 6/11/06)

-WHY are we expected to fork up another $169,000 for a grandiose "People’s Plaza" in front of the Municipal Building? The stairs, lighting, and asphalt should all have been factored into the grand total price of a new town hall. Are they hoping to address the people from up on high?(TC Minutes 12/11/07 pg.3&4)

-WHY is the Township Council passing an ordinance with a minimum range for salaries for non-union employess in Sparta? When the post of Township Manager BEGINNING at $115,800 (without benefits added)–it is cause for alarm. Hopatcong just hired a Township Administrator–for $95,000. Why would we offer to pay $20,800 more than what we had to for competent help?(New Ordinance passed 4/8/08)

-WHY is the Township Council now spending another $1 million for upgrades to White Lake, after just having spent $1.45 million to purchase it? WHY are they planning on building a stadium complex to the tune of $1-2 million and a 15,000 square foot building to house P.A.L. gyms, community center, kitchen, and storage space–all at Station Park (isn’t that where the toxic plume is)? – all WITHOUT our approval? (TC Minutes 7/11/07 pg.2, 11/8/07 pg.4, 11/27/07 pg.8, 12/11/07 pg. 1, 1/8/08 pg. 2&3)

-WHY should we spend $4,000 to buy two bicycles for two intermittent policemen to peddle around town? If the idea was to interact with the citizens, wouldn't it be better if they walked, instead of whizzed by on bike? It sure would cost less, too! (TC Minutes 2/26/08 pg.5)

-WHY would we want to spend thousands of dollars for our own cable TV channel, when all we really want is to be able to watch Township Coucil meetings two times a month? (TC Minutes 3/25/08)

CONTRIBUTIONS

CONTRIBUTIONS

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If you would like to contribute funds to aid in the Recall of Brian Brady, Michael Spekhardt and Manny Goldberg, you can mail a check for one; two or all three of the Recall officials.

Each check must be made out separately to the committee for the person you would like to Recall. (Brian Brady, Michael Spekhardt and Manny Goldberg). All checks can be mailed in the same envelope at the same time.

At this time to contribute funds to the Committee to Recall Brian Brady or Committee to Recall Michael Spekhardt or Committee to Recall Manny Goldberg, please make checks payable to a committee in the amount of: $300 or LESS.
We will not accept checks over the $301 threshold at this time.

Any and all contributions would be gratefully appreciated.

TO RECALL BRIAN BRADY
Committee to recall Brian Brady

TO RECALL MICHAEL SPEKHARDT
Committee to recall Michael Spekhardt

TO RECALL MANNY GOLDBERG
Committee to recall Manny Goldberg



Paid for by:
Committee to recall Brian Brady

Paid for by:
Committee to recall Michael Spekhardt

Paid for by:
Committee to recall Manny Goldberg

Former Sparta mayor indicted on misconduct charges

http://www.njherald.com/story/16966481/former-sparta-mayor-indicted-on-misconduct-charges

February 18, 2012

TRENTON (AP) — A suspended police captain for a New Jersey state agency, who is a former Sparta mayor and councilman, has been accused of filing fraudulent timesheets — going on ski trips, gambling in Atlantic City and performing personal consulting work while claiming he was working.

A nine-count indictment handed up Friday in state court in Trenton against Brian Brady, 50, also accuses him of using a state vehicle,state gas card and state-issued E-ZPass on some of the personal trips.

Brady was suspended from his $101,000-a-year job with the New Jersey Human Services Police when charges were first brought in May. He has denied any wrongdoing.

He is also accused of falsely claiming he had re-qualified for firearm use and of wrongly using police databases for personal reasons. Charges include official misconduct and theft by deception.

Brady was charged in a nine-count state grand jury indictment with three counts of official second-degree misconduct. one count of pattern of official misconduct, second-degree; one count of theft by deception (third-degree), two counts of tampering with public records or information (third- degree), and two counts of computer theft (second and third- degree). If convicted, he would face a sentence of five to 10 years in prison on each official misconduct charge, including five years without possibility of parole, and a consecutive sentence on the pattern of official misconduct charge. The charges stem from an investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and New Jersey Department of Human Services.

Brady is the third highest ranking officer in the Human Services Police, reporting to the chief and the director. The Human Services Police provide police services at the developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals operated by the Department of Human Services (DHS). They are also assigned to protect offices and case workers for the Division of Youth and Family Services. The Department of Human Services immediately suspended Brady when he was charged by complaint in the case in May.

"It is deeply troubling that a police supervisor, who has a sworn duty to uphold the law, is instead charged in this indictment with violating the public's trust through multiple criminal acts of dishonesty and theft or abuse of police resources," said Attorney General Chiesa in a released statement. "By aggressively prosecuting official misconduct, we will deliver a loud and clear message that nobody is above the law."

"This captain allegedly falsified timesheets in order to collect pay as if on duty for days when he was away on vacation or traveling for personal business," said Stephen J. Taylor, Director of the Division of Criminal Justice, also in a released statement."On top of that, he allegedly used a police vehicle and state-funded gas for those personal trips. We will not tolerate that type of abuse of public office."

In connection with the first count of official misconduct, it is alleged between March 2007 and October 2010, Brady took blocks of personal time without submitting documentation for the appropriate leave time. Instead, Brady, whose annual salary is $101,000, allegedly submitted false time sheets indicating he had worked on days when he was away on personal trips, including ski trips to Vermont, trips to New York for his personal consulting business, and visits to Atlantic City and Delaware to gamble. On some of these personal trips, including travel outside of the State of New Jersey, he allegedly used a state vehicle and a state-issued E-Z Pass, and purchased gas using a state gas card.

Brady was the officer for the Human Services Police who submitted required certifications each year to the Attorney General's Office on force members' firearms qualifications. The second count of official misconduct charges that Brady submitted four annual certifications for the years 2006, 2007, 2008 and 2009 that falsely stated he had completed required activities at a firing range to re-qualify in use of his service firearm, when he had not completed the requirements.

In connection with the third count of official misconduct, it is alleged that Brady directed a subordinate employee of the Human Services Police to conduct background checks on members of a minor league baseball team using a restricted police database. It is further alleged that he directed subordinate officers to use the police database to run background checks on a home health care worker he was considering hiring and a vehicle he wanted to buy. The police database is to be used strictly for criminal justice purposes and not for personal purposes.

Brady is charged with third-degree theft by deception for allegedly falsifying the timesheets and using the state vehicle, EZ-Pass and gas card for personal purposes. The two counts of third-degree tampering with public records or information address his alleged falsification of the timesheets and the firearms certifications. The computer theft counts relate to his alleged unauthorized use of the police database for personal purposes.

The case was presented to the state grand jury by Deputy Attorney General Mark J. Ondris and Deputy Attorney General Cynthia Vazquez. The investigation was conducted and coordinated by Detective Lee Bailey, DAG Ondris, DAG Vazquez, DAG Nicole Rizzolo, and Supervising Deputy Attorney General Christine Hoffman, Chief of the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau, with the full cooperation and participation of Human Services officials.

Second-degree crimes carry a sentence of five to 10 years in state prison and a criminal fine of up to $150,000. Each of the second-degree charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison without parole under New Jersey's statutory sentencing enhancements for public corruption. The mandatory minimum sentence applies to certain listed offenses occurring on or after April 14, 2007 that involve or touch upon the defendant's public office. Third-degree charges carry a sentence of three to five years in state prison and a fine of up to $15,000.

The indictment was handed up to Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg, in Mercer County, who assigned the case to Mercer County.

State policeman, formerly Sparta mayor, indicted on charges he abused office

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2012/02/state_policeman_former_sparta.html

State policeman, formerly Sparta mayor, indicted on charges he abused office

February 17, 2012

By Susan K. Livio/Statehouse
BureauThe Star-Ledger

TRENTON — A grand jury today indicted a suspended state Human Services police captain on charges he faked time sheets, used a state vehicle for personal trips, and ordered officers to misuse state databases, the Attorney General's Office announced.

Brian Brady, 50, of Sparta, “allegedly falsified timesheets in order to collect pay as if on duty for days when he was away on vacation or traveling for personal business,” Stephen J. Taylor, director of the Division of Criminal Justice, said in a prepared statement. “On top of that, he allegedly used a police vehicle and state-funded gas for those personal trips. We will not tolerate that type of abuse of public office.”

Brady was the third-highest ranking official in the Human Services police force, which is responsible for patrolling and investigating incidents at psychiatric hospitals and facilities for the developmentally disabled, and accompanying Division of Youth and Family Service workers on high-risk home visits.

The nine-count indictment said Brady ordered a Human Services police officer to conduct background checks on members of a minor league baseball team using a restricted police database. He also ordered officers to use the police database to run background checks on a home health care worker he was considering hiring and a vehicle he wanted to buy, according to the indictment handed up to Superior Court Judge Linda R. Feinberg in Mercer County.

count of a pattern of official misconduct, one count of theft by deception, two counts of tampering with public records, and two counts of computer theft, according to a statement from the state Attorney General's office. If convicted, he would face a sentence of at least five years to 10 years.

Brady's attorney, Mario Iavicoli of Haddonfield, could not immediately be reached for comment. When Brady was arrested in May, Iavicoli called the charges "bogus,'' and suggested that the charges against Brady were retaliation by superiors seeking to replace him.

Brady only had his state vehicle with him because he was constantly on call, Iavicoli said.

The attorney also said the background checks were conducted simply to help smooth the baseball team's trip to Canada, ensuring that it wouldn't be tripped up at the border. He denied allegations that Brady used a state database to looked up a vehicle he wanted to buy, and that he falsified firearms qualifications.

Brady is a former councilman and mayor of Sparta.

Former Sparta mayor faces charges, suspended from state job

May 17, 2011By JESSICA MASULLI

SPARTA — Brian Brady, a former mayor and councilman of Sparta, was placed on administrative leave from his position of police captain of the New Jersey Human Services Police Tuesday while he faces charges of submitting false timesheets and firearms qualification certificates, and misusing police search databases, according to the Attorney General’s Office.

Brady, the third highest ranking officer in the Human Services Police, was charged with three counts of second-degree official misconduct and one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct. The Human Services Police provide services to the developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals operated by the Department of Human Services.

If convicted, Brady could face maximum sentences of 10 years in state prison on each official misconduct charge and a consecutive sentence on the pattern of official misconduct charge. This includes five years without possibility of parole, according to the Attorney General.

Brady’s attorney, Mario Iavicoli, disputed the charges and said Brady was being retaliated against for complaining to superiors about having to take on extra responsibilities, the Associated Press said.
Brady pleaded not guilty in court, his attorney said, and was released without having to post bail, according to the Associated Press.

Brady, who earns a salary of $101,000, allegedly took personal time off and falsified timesheets to say that he had worked, the Attorney General’s Office said.

“On some of these personal trips, including travel outside of the state of New Jersey, he allegedly used a state vehicle and state-issued E-Z pass,” the Attorney General’s Office said.

Iavicoli said Brady drove the state vehicle when he was on call, at odd hours, and actually gave back vacation time that he didn’t use, according to the Associated Press.

Brady is also alleged to have done police background checks for a team’s manager on every member of a minor league baseball team. He is also alleged to have checked the database for a vehicle he wanted to purchase and to have falsified his own qualifications to use a firearm.

“The police database is to be used strictly for criminal justice purposes and not to be used for personal gain,” the Attorney General’s Office said.

Iavicoli said authorities were going overboard in charging Brady for doing an improper background check that Brady thought would “benefit the community,” according to the Associated Press.

“He thought he had the discretionary right to do the lookup,” Iavicoli said. “We believe they wanted to replace him and this is the method they are using.”

Messages left on Brady’s cellphone were not returned.

The charges stemmed from an ongoing investigation by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and New Jersey Department of Human Services, to which Brady’s department provides police services. The Department of Human Services suspended Brady until a hearing.

“The police captain allegedly abused his office by falsifying and misusing official records to serve his own purposes,” said Attorney General Paula Dow. “There is no room for dishonest conduct on the part of a sworn law enforcement officer.”

Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor said that police officers must be held to higher standards.

Brady was on the Sparta Township Council for four years starting in 2006. Under his term, Brady and two other council members, Michael Spekhardt and Manny Goldberg, acted together to approve the purchase of the Limecrest Quarry for $2.45 million, create a garbage utility and resulting townwide referendum, and contract local health services out to the county. Public outcry over many of the council's decisions led in 2008 to recall petitions for the three council members. The petition petitions failed to get the required number of signatures in time. Brady did not run for re-election in 2010.

N.J. human services police captain is charged with falsifying time sheets

http://www.nj.com/news/index.ssf/2011/05/nj_human_services_police_capta.html

Tuesday, May 17, 2011

By Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau The Star-Ledger

Trenton - — A high-ranking official with the Department of Human Services police force was arrested today and charged with faking time sheets and misusing police databases, state authorities announced.

Capt. Brian Brady claimed to be working when he was away on personal trips, where he used his state vehicle and state-issued E-Z Pass transponder, authorities said.

They also said he used a police database to run background checks on every member of a minor league baseball team to help out the team's manager. He also scoped out a vehicle he was interested in buying.

“This police captain allegedly abused his office by falsifying and misusing official records to serve his own purposes,” Attorney General Paula Dow said in a statement. “There is no room for dishonest conduct on the part of a sworn law enforcement officer.”

Authorities said Brady, 49, of Sparta is the third-highest ranking official in the Human Services police force, which is responsible for psychiatric hospitals and facilities for the developmentally disabled.

He was previously a councilman and the mayor in Sparta in Sussex County.

He is charged with three counts of official misconduct and one count of a pattern of official misconduct.

The charges carry a mandatory minimum sentence of five years in prison.

Authorities said the case is part of an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice and the Department of Human Services.

Former Sparta mayor accused of lying on timesheets as police captain

http://www.dailyrecord.com/article/20110517/NJNEWS/305170013/Ex-Sparta-mayor

May 17, 2011

SPARTA — A former mayor of Sparta who is a captain with the state Human Services Police Department has been charged with submitting fraudulent paperwork and using police databases for personal purposes, according to the Office of the Attorney General.

Brian Brady, 49, was charged with three counts of second-degree official misconduct and one count of second-degree pattern of official misconduct. Brady turned himself in to detectives Tuesday to be processed and was later released without having to post bail.

This police captain allegedly abused his office by falsifying and misusing official records to serve his own purposes,” said Attorney General Paula Dow. “There is no room for dishonest conduct on the part of a sworn law enforcement officer.”
If convicted, he could face up to 10 years in state prison on each official misconduct charge, including five years without possibility of parole, and a consecutive sentence on the pattern of official misconduct charge.

The charges stem from an ongoing investigation being conducted by the Division of Criminal Justice Corruption Bureau and New Jersey Department of Human Services.
Brady, who formerly was a councilman and mayor of Sparta, is the third highest ranking officer in the Human Services Police Department, reporting to the chief and the director. The Human Services Police provide police services at the developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals operated by the Department of Human Services. They also are assigned to protect offices and case workers for the New Jersey Division of Youth and Family Services.

Brady was elected to the council in 2006 and was elected mayor by his fellow council members in 2008, which was the same year he and two other members of the council were the subjeccts of a failed recall attempt. Brady did not run for a second term.
Brady, who earned an annual salary of $101,000 last year, allegedly submitted false time sheets indicating that he had worked on days when he was away on personal trips. On some of these personal trips, including travel outside of the State of New Jersey, he allegedly used a state vehicle and state-issued E-Z Pass, the attorney general’s office said in a news release.

Brady also is accused of submitting four annual certifications that falsely stated that he had completed required activities at a firing range to re-qualify in use of his service firearm, the release said.

Brady also allegedly had background checks conducted on every member of a minor league baseball team using a police database and provided the results to the team’s manager. It is also alleged that Brady used a police database to run a background check on a vehicle that he wanted to purchase, the release said. The police database is to be used strictly for criminal justice purposes and not to be used for personal gain.

The Department of Human Services immediately suspended Brady pending a disciplinary hearing.

“Police officers are properly held to a higher standard,” said Criminal Justice Director Stephen J. Taylor. “The public needs to be able to rely on the fact that officers will act with integrity at all times when performing their duties.”

NJ Human Services police captain charged

http://hosted.ap.org/dynamic/stories/N/NJ_POLICE_CAPTAIN_CHARGED_NJOL-?SITE=AP&SECTION=HOME&TEMPLATE=DEFAULT

May 17, 2011

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) -- A New Jersey Human Services Police Department captain and former mayor was charged Tuesday with official misconduct for allegedly misusing police databases and submitting false firearm qualification certificates and expenses.

State Attorney General Paula Dow said Capt. Brian Brady, 49, has been placed on administrative leave from his $101,000 job. Brady is a former mayor of Sparta, a community of 18,000 in northwestern New Jersey.

Brady's attorney, Mario Iavicoli, disputed the charges and said Brady was being retaliated against for complaining to superiors about having to take on extra responsibilities.

The Human Services Police provide police services at developmental centers and psychiatric hospitals and protect child welfare workers.

Dow said Brady is accused of falsifying timesheets and using police databases for personal gain to conduct background checks on members of a minor league baseball team. She did not explain the reason for the background checks.

She said Brady submitted timesheets showing he had worked when he was off on personal trips and sometimes used a state vehicle and state-issued E-ZPass to travel outside of New Jersey.

Brady also is accused of submitting documents falsely stating that he had completed annual firearms qualification.

Iavicoli said Brady drove the state vehicle when he was on call, at odd hours, and actually gave back vacation time that he didn't use. He said authorities were going overboard in charging Brady for doing an improper background check that Brady thought would "benefit the community."

"He thought he had the discretionary right to do the lookup," Iavicoli said. "We believe they wanted to replace him and this is the method they are using."

Brady pleaded not guilty in court, his attorney said, and was released without having to post bail.

The investigation was conducted by the state Division of Criminal Justice.

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