New Jersey Councilwomen Sue Colleagues Over Controversial Waterfront Property Vote

Keyport, New Jersey—A legal dispute has emerged in this borough as two Democratic councilwomen have initiated a lawsuit against their Republican colleagues over alleged conflicts of interest tied to a recent vote. Councilwomen Kathleen McNamara and Heather Brady filed the complaint in Monmouth County Superior Court on August 1, arguing that Council President Melissa Vecchio and Councilman Joseph Merla should have recused themselves from the vote concerning a subdivision of borough-owned land located at the waterfront. The councilwomen contend that Vecchio and Merla’s involvement in the voting process was inappropriate due to personal financial interests. … Read more