Bill > A584

Introduced Session

This bill clarifies that no contributions received by a candidate for elective public office, or the committee of such a candidate or a legislative leadership committee, can be used by that person for the payment of any expense arising from his or her legal defense for violating any provision of Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes, or for violating any other criminal statute in another jurisdiction or of the federal government. The provisions of this bill apply to any person serving in elective public office because the definition of a candidate in current State campaign finance law (N.J.S.A.19:44A-3c) includes a person elected to public office. Title 2C of the New Jersey Statutes provides, for example, that a person found guilty of bribery in official and political matters, and a person found guilty of official misconduct, has committed crimes of the second degree, each of which is punishable by a term of imprisonment of between 5 and 10 years and a fine of up to $150,000. The campaign contributions that a person raises for election to public office were never intended for use by a candidate, or an elected public official, for his or her legal defense against criminal charges. This bill amends current law so that it is interpreted to conform with the original intention of the Legislature with regard to the permissible uses of campaign contributions.

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Amy Handlin (R)*, 

Introduced, Referred to Assembly Judiciary Committee (on 01/27/2016)