PAULSEN/LAYTON MUST ANSWER FOR NYIKITA

(Mount Laurel):           Burlington County Democratic Chairman Rick Perr today called on Republican Freeholder Director Fenton to respond to the latest scandal as reported by today’s Burlington County Times and Courier Post.  In particular, a startling admission made by former Burlington County Republican Chairman Glen Paulsen that the use of County employees and contractors to personally guarantee loans for the Burlington County Republicans is a long standing practice.

A review of past campaign finance reports reveal that the Burlington County Republican Party has been using loans guaranteed by County employees, elected officials and contractors as far back as 2001, when Glen Paulsen was Chairman.

According to Perr, the finance reports show that while some members of “Paulsen’s 20” have come and gone there is one constant. 

“Members, with few exceptions are either employed by the Burlington County government and its entities, the County Party or are contractors making tens of millions of dollars in taxpayer funded government contacts,” said Perr

Perr pointed to former Burlington County Bridge Commission Executive Director George Nyikita as someone who has ceased guaranteeing the loans.

“While George Nyikita was making well over a hundred thousand dollars a year at his taxpayer financed government jobs, he was a charter member of the “Paulsen’s 20 Investment Group,” stated Perr.  “In 2007, amid investigations and the pending federal sentencing of Bob Stears, he relinquished his job as E.D. and coincidentally stopped guaranteeing loans.”

“Are Burlington County residents, who have been barraged with exorbitant tax increases throughout the GOP reign over County Government, really expected to believe Paulsen’s notion that he and others guarantee these loans to support good government? Then why do they suddenly stop their generosity and support of “good” government when they give up their government jobs?  This is a red flag that something much more nefarious is going on,” said Perr.

“Fenton has refused to enact a pay to play ban, he has refused to hold any of his employees accountable and today he remains silent even as the facts were outlined to reveal a consistent scheme where governmental employees and contractors are guaranteeing loans for his campaign.  This is yet another example of his inept leadership,” said Perr.

Perr, who yesterday unveiled a 9 minute video on the Burlington County Democratic website (www.burlcodems.com) entitled “The Paulsen’s 20 Investment Group,” said the video speaks volumes about the taxpayer financed fundraising practices of the Burlington County Republican machine.

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