Roselle Park News has learned that the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (NJ ELEC) is investigating filings of 2016 Board Of Education (BOE) candidates Kimberly Powers and Jeff Regan. Ms. Powers won her election to the school board and is currently a BOE member.
The investigation stems from two articles written last year which revealed that both candidates were not only funded by the Roselle Park Democratic Committee (RPDC) but that the political party – in campaign reports filed with the state – ran their campaigns for the non-partisan school board election.
NJ ELEC has completed its initial review and proceeded to open an investigation for compliance with provisions of the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act.
According to NJSA 19:44A-1 et. seq., if found guilty of violating campaign contribution laws, Ms. Powers and Mr. Regan might be fined up to between $3,000 to $5,000. At this time, it has not been determined if any findings of violations could lead to Ms. Powers forfeiting her public office from the school board. Mr. Regan was previously fined $100 in 2011 for failing to file legally required Financial Disclosure Statements in 2008 (link).
Ms. Powers did not return phone calls seeking comment.