Hudson County assemblyman agrees to forfeit his legislative seat in deal that led to all charges being dropped against his wife
TRENTON — Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone, a Hudson County Democrat who won re-election last year while under indictment, pleaded guilty today to tampering with campaign finance records five years ago.
Chiappone is likely to face probation when Mercer County Superior Court Judge Gerald Council sentences him in September. Prosecutors have recommended he receive no jail time.
Chiappone, 52, was indicted with his wife, Diane, 10 months ago on charges of conspiracy, official misconduct, theft by deception, tampering with public records, falsifying records and concealment of campaign contributions.
Authorities had accused the couple of pocketing paychecks for five legislative aides, funneling the money to his failed campaign in 2005 and not reporting the money on his reports filed with the state Election Law Enforcement Commission. They said $4,928 was funneled into the personal accounts of the Chiappones, while $3,233 was put toward the lawmaker's failed 2005 campaign.
But under the terms of Chiappone's plea deal, the state dismissed charges against Diane Chiappone, and dismissed all of the assemblyman's charges except the tampering of public records for not disclosing the money on his campaign finance reports. Chiappone also agreed to forfeit his Assembly seat and is barred from seeking public office in the future.
"It's very upsetting that it came to what it came to today,'' Chiappone said this morning at the courthouse in Trenton after he entered his guilty plea. "In my mind, I was geared to going to trial. I had a dismissal hearing on the way. But there is another person involved, and it's my wife. I'm doing what's best for my family. Politics is second to having the charges dismissed for her.'
"Emotionally it's been a tough year. Always prided myself as a good public servant, and I still believe that to be the case. But I am ultimately responsible for all the campaign activity in my office,'' Chiappone said.
Chiappone's attorney, Tim Howe of Raritan Borough, told reporters after the hearing his client was admitting to a "campaign disclosure issue, and strictly a campaign disclosure issue.''
Attorney General Paula Dow said in a prepared statement that the public "has a right to expect that their elected officials will uphold the law and act honestly in all official matters. Assemblyman Chiappone must forfeit his public office because he broke the law, dishonestly attempting to evade campaign reporting requirements."
Chiappone's lawyer said his wife manages a hair salon in Bayonne, but authorities said she also helped file campaign finance reports and distributed paychecks to five legislative aides. They said $4,928 was funneled into the Chiappones' personal accounts, while $3,233 was put toward the lawmaker's failed 2005 campaign.
Chiappone previously held an Assembly seat from 2004 to 2006. After losing the 2005 campaign, he continued to hold his Bayonne City Council seat, which he resigned in April 2009. He successfully ran for Assembly again in 2007.
When he was indicted, then-Gov. Jon Corzine and then-Assembly Speaker Joseph Roberts (D-Camden) called on Chiappone to resign. Instead he pressed ahead with his re-election effort and won in November.
In May, Chiappone made a bid for mayor of Bayonne, seeking to unseat incumbent Mark Smith, but he lost with 22 percent of the vote compared with Smith's 66 percent.
Deputy Attorney General Susan Kase handled the case for the state.
By Susan K. Livio and Chris Megerian/Statehouse Bureau
Previous coverage:
• N.J. Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone, wife plead not guilty to corruption charges
• N.J. Assemblyman Anthony Chiappone denies campaign finance misconduct