NEW JERSEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY October 12, 2018 Honorable Philip D. Murphy Governor of the State of New Jersey 225 West State Stree
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NEW JERSEY GENERAL ASSEMBLY STATE HOUSE PO BOX 098 TRENTON, NEW JERSEY 08625-0098 (609) 847-3400 October 12, 2018 Honorable Philip D. Murphy Governor of the State of New Jersey 225 West State Street Trenton, NJ 08608 Dear Governor Murphy, Reports have made clear that immediately after alleged criminal sexual misconduct was committed by one of your staffers, the victim - a volunteer on your campaign - contacted the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office to submit her allegations. Those circumstances alone would lead most people in this political environment to believe that her allegations have merit, but there is a void of information provided by your administration. A volunteer on your campaign had the courage and conviction to make her circumstances known, and she was greeted with a disappointing lack of action. It seems that there is a bias of what is acceptable and what is not. Your reluctance to offer “more color” on the matter, and undertake a thorough investigation into the alleged misconduct, leaves more questions each and every day that your administration fails to provide answers. The longer information is not provided by your administration, the more disturbing this situation has become. Political inconvenience cannot be weighted more heavily than integrity. Sexual violence is not a partisan issue, and the public officials of our state have affirmed that time and again. We expect more of our governor, and remain hopeful that a complete legislative investigation finds the truth. In anticipation, we implore you to answer these questions: 1. Did the victim directly report to Alvarez on the campaign? 2. When was your campaign staff made aware of the allegations? 3. When was the Governor’s Office staff made aware? 4. Did the allegations occur during work hours, or on campaign premises? 5. When the allegations became known did the victim’s volunteer role change? 6. What was the environment of your campaign before and after the allegations? 7. What did the campaign memo circulated regarding the allegations entail? 8. Were you made aware of either allegation? If so, when? 9. What was your initial response to the allegations? 10. What did you, or your staff, do after becoming aware of the allegations? 11. Why didn’t the allegations raise any red flags with the administration? 12. Why did you think it was appropriate to allow Alvarez to remain on the campaign, and continue to work on your transition team and in your administration? 13. When was law enforcement notified? If so, did law enforcement investigate? 14. What is the extent of the relationship between Alvarez and the Hudson County Prosecutor? 15. How in-depth was the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office investigation? 16. How many people were interviewed by the Hudson County Prosecutor’s Office? 17. Why did the prosecutor decide to not press charges? 18. Did you implement any interim protective measures? 19. Did your staff investigate the allegation internally? 20. Why did it take so long for your staff to respond? 21. Was there an informal resolution? 22. Were any sanctions imposed? This matter deserves full attention, and these questions are hopefully just the beginning of a thorough and forthright investigation. Sincerely, Jon Bramnick Anthony M. Bucco Nancy Munoz Assembly Minority Leader Assembly Minority Conference Assembly Minority Whip Leader Robert Auth Michael Patrick Carroll Robert Clifton Assemblyman Assemblyman Assemblyman Ron Dancer BettyLou DeCroce Christopher P. DePhillips Assemblyman Assemblywoman Assemblyman John DiMaio Serena DiMaso DiAnne Gove Assemblyman Assemblywoman Assemblywoman Page 2 of 2 Amy Handlin Joseph Howarth Sean Kean Assemblywoman Assemblyman Assemblyman Gregory McGuckin Ryan Peters Erik Peterson Assemblyman Assemblyman Assemblyman Kevin J. Rooney Brian Rumpf Holly Schepisi Assemblyman Assemblyman Assemblywoman Parker Space Edward Thomson III Jay Webber Assemblyman Assemblyman Assemblyman Harold Wirths David Wolfe Assemblyman Assemblyman Page 2 of 2 .