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News Front Page July 16, 2009 Search Archives Search
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O'Leary: Rumors won't get in way of my goals
Greg Bean's Column
Obituaries Spicuzzo concerned negative publicity will hamper candidacy
Sports BY JACQUELINE DURETT Correspondent
Whether the recent firestorm of rumors and negative publicity surrounding South Amboy Mayor John O'Leary will jeopardize his run for state
Assembly remains to be seen.
O'Leary said last week that he plans to stay in the race, and he remains steadfast that he is simply the victim of an anonymous grudge­holder
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who distributed a letter of false allegations throughout the community.
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Featured Special But Middlesex County Democratic Organization Chairman Joseph Spicuzzo is "kind of concerned" about the matter.
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"We don't want to have anything negative during the campaign. I want to have everything cleared up," Spicuzzo said.
Spicuzzo is referring to a subpoena the city recently received from the state Attorney
General's Office, as well as the anonymous nine­page letter that accused the mayor, other city officials and members of O'Leary's family of
wrongdoing. The letter's author has not been identified, but its distribution set off a firestorm of rumors and Internet postings regarding
O'Leary.
O'Leary, the longtime Democratic mayor, said the letter and the subpoena will in no way affect his run for 19th District Assembly seat.
"I don't see why it should. There's a lot of work to be done in the state of New Jersey," he said, adding that he wasn't going to let the current
controversy get in the way of his goals.
The mayor said he is currently working with the Middlesex County Prosecutor's Office and the Attorney General's Office to determine the
author's identity.
O'Leary had given the author of the letter until the end of last week to come forward and present evidence supporting the claims against
him and his family.
"They have failed to do so," O'Leary said. "They didn't bring the proof. So we will continue to vet this out with various law enforcement
[agencies]." He said he is offering a $5,000 reward for the identity of the letter's author, adding that no taxpayer dollars are being used in the
investigation.
The mayor said the letter's author took advantage of the fact that O'Leary was on vacation in St. Maarten when he or she chose to
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"While I'm away on vacation, all types of rumors are being spread about the mayor of South Amboy. To me, that's a calculated cheap shot,"
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The mayor said he accepts that as a public official he will be a target for scrutiny, but added that the letter has "libeled many people in this
community."
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"You're not allowed to do that to innocent people," he said. O'Leary called the effort "reckless" and "mean­spirited" and said the author or
2000 ­ 2009 authors — whom he and Spicuzzo both described as cowards — "have no lives of their own."
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Terms of Use & "People can write what they want," O'Leary said. "[But] I think it's time to stop." He said he has every intention of suing the author of the
Privacy letter.
The letter, which circulated to residents and various media outlets, accuses the mayor of many misdeeds. But O'Leary maintains that South
Amboy's government offices are above reproach. "Our offices are open. We feel very confident that this government and this administration
has acted properly in regards to city matters." He later added, "Facts are facts. This administration has done nothing wrong. People are just
Newspaper web site taking cheap shots at this administration."
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O'Leary countered accusations in the letter of nepotism by explaining that his brother is qualified to serve as the executive director of the South
Amboy Housing Authority, and his sister filled in for the position of tax collector when the previous office holder was accused of wrongdoing.
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Logout "If crimes weren't being committed," he said, she wouldn't have had to assume the role.
Spicuzzo emphasized that O'Leary "has done a good job as mayor and I think he would do a good job as assemblyman." He added that if
people have accusations to make, they should make them openly so any outstanding matters can be addressed. He said he was unaware of
any enemies O'Leary may have. Given the length of O'Leary's 23­year tenure as mayor, it stands to reason that he wouldn't have been able to

2. O'Leary countered accusations in the letter of nepotism by explaining that his brother is qualified to serve as the executive director of the South
Amboy Housing Authority, and his sister filled in for the position of tax collector when the previous office holder was accused of wrongdoing.
Login
Logout "If crimes weren't being committed," he said, she wouldn't have had to assume the role.
Spicuzzo emphasized that O'Leary "has done a good job as mayor and I think he would do a good job as assemblyman." He added that if
people have accusations to make, they should make them openly so any outstanding matters can be addressed. He said he was unaware of
any enemies O'Leary may have. Given the length of O'Leary's 23­year tenure as mayor, it stands to reason that he wouldn't have been able to
please everyone, he said.
When asked if his public efforts to go after the letter­writer will only bring more attention to a situation that could die down on its own,
O'Leary said he feels he is doing the right thing.
"I want [to bring] attention to it. I don't want people to forget it," he said.
Spicuzzo said he agrees with O'Leary's mission to determine the identity of the letter authors.
The mayor also discussed his reaction to the subpoena, which focused on any possible dealings between the city and his insurance business.
"They're entitled to any information they want to look at here. We have an opendoor policy here," O'Leary said.
The mayor noted that no one is perfect, but said he has done his best for the people of South Amboy. He pointed to the renaissance the city
has been enjoying over the past few years as evidence of the good he has done — the result of 23 years of running the city.
Spicuzzo said he hopes to get an update this week regarding whether the investigation is ongoing.
"The Attorney General has asked some questions," Spicuzzo said. "I don't know whether those questions were answered. I want to find out."
He said he at least would want a timeline regarding any investigation "before I ask Jack O'Leary to step down as a candidate." Spicuzzo said
the party does not need any added challenge to securing wins in November. Gov. Jon Corzine has been doing a great job, he said, but
"people are unhappy with their political leaders." He also pointed to the March indictment of Assemblyman Joseph Vas — which enabled
O'Leary to run for the Assembly seat in the first place — as contributing to a negative atmosphere around the party.
"So, we're going to have a hard time … given the climate," Spicuzzo said. "I don't need, as a political leader, something else to worry about."
That said, Spicuzzo said, he believes O'Leary will act in the best interest of the party. "He assured me that he wouldn't hurt the Democratic
Party," he said.