Oh look--
@AswVickyFlynn, who co-sponsored the OPRA-gutting bill that makes it harder for NJ residents to access public records--is complaining about a lack of transparency in New Jersey's government again.
Did you think we'd forget?
You know what strikes me most about this report? I mean, yes, the multiple references to sperm was uncomfortable to read.
But, the report is remarkably silent on the Governor’s own role in all of this. And that is why legislative hearings are needed.
Where are the communications between the Governor and her Lieutenant Governor about his behavior? When did she know? What did she know? Did she ever personally tell him to cut it out? And if not, why not?
The Governor issued a statement saying the LG's conduct involved “serious, repeated violations,” that it persisted despite “multiple warnings and trainings,” and that it is serious enough that he must resign.
If it was that serious, why wasn’t he placed on leave while he was being investigated?
Instead, he continued serving as Lieutenant Governor and Secretary of State, representing the Administration and appearing publicly alongside the Governor. He even repeatedly served as Acting Governor while the investigation was underway.
It is hard to believe that this subject never came up between the two of them.
The LG isn’t some typical state employee. The Governor personally selected him as her running mate. Even after concerns about his alleged behavior had surfaced during the campaign, she selected him to chair her transition, which was again a significant position of trust. Don't forget - there were reports that members of that transition were required to sign NDAs.
And, as LG, he reports to the Governor. Are we suppose to believe that the LG would curb his behavior based on warnings provided by subordinates? Didn't the Governor have a role here to fill?
The report leans in and discloses that the LG received warnings, ethics guidance, training, etc. But the Governor did nothing this whole time? She never confronting him? She never restricted his duties? Did she consider putting him on leave? What information was given to her, and when?
Something about this timeline does not add up.
And now, on the morning after this report was released, New Jersey is preparing for a significant nor’easter with potentially serious coastal flooding, damaging winds and power outages. Will the Governor stand before the press today and answer questions about both the storm coming toward New Jersey and the storm her Administration created with last night’s report?
This is precisely why the Assembly should convene a bipartisan investigatory committee and hold public hearings. The public deserves answers in the daylight. The report only raises more questions than answers. Releasing the report last night and having no public schedule today is not transparent.