Occhi-Shady ELECs

Well, looky here!  On April 20, 2012 4th Ward Councilman Tim Occhipinti filed his candidacy with ELEC for the 2015 municipal election.  

Here is his brand new logo and web site, where you can see he is soliciting contributions for "Occhipinti for Council."

Why so soon?  Perhaps Occhipinti wants to build an enormous war chest for the November 2015 election?

GA took a look through Timmy's 2015 ELEC filings.

As of the last (1/17/13), Occhipinti has received $12,173.03 and spent $9,882.27.

Timmy has spent 81% of his contributions-to-date for his 2015 municipal campaign.

A campaign which hasn't started yet.

Rather than building a war chest (saving), Occhipinti is spending his "Occhipinti for Council" cash contributions like gangbusters.  On what?

It looks to me like he is soliciting donations and using them as a personal petty cash fund.  He's spending campaign contributions in lieu of paying out of pocket for charity events, donations and even donations to Hudson County and New Jersey politicians.

Legal?  Probably.  Ethical? You decide.

 Folks, take a look for yourself:  http://www.elec.state.nj.us/ELECReport/DetailFilingReport.aspx?ID=321994&Page=1&LastName=occhipinti

Here are some examples, and you should think about these before you reach into your pocket to give this guy another penny:

1- $300 for a "Charitable Event" for Rebuild Hoboken Relief fund.  Did Timmy pay for his $300 ticket to the W Hotel fundraiser with political contributions?

2- $175 to "Union City First"- a Brian Stack Civic Association. Timmy's giving his donors' cash to Brian Stack!!!!

3- $48 for a plaque paid to Stan's for a charitable luncheon, likely the annual Richard Hicks Black Youth Empowerment Luncheon at the Boys & Girls Club on 2/25/12.

4-$100 to The Real Democrats of Hoboken for "future and present political donations"  and "Lincoln Dinner."

5- $100 to the NAACP for...  newspaper advertising and program donation?  Advertising what? What program?  GA couldn't find anything around that time on Google.

6- $75 to HEARTS for "advertising and program donation".  Never heard of it so GA asked around.  BoE Trustee Irene Sobolov replied: 

Hoboken Education Assoc of Retired Teachers. They had a big anniversary... Had a program with sponsors wishing them well.... We donated in our OWN names with our OWN money!!! Not campaign money... Disgusting

All 4 members of Kids First who attended donated their OWN money, not campaign funds.

 

7-  $250 to Albio Sires!  (Why give his own money when he can give yours?)

8- $100 to Panorama Tours for a 'Family Day Event".  Panorama Tours operates a Charter bus company.  July 26, 2012 (date of payment) was the final night of the St. Ann's Festival- it was a Thursday.  What was that?

9- $300 to the "Mason Civil League" for "Charitable Contributions/Hurricane Sandy Donation."  Was this for his ticket to Mason's sham charity fundraiser?

and... are you ready for THIS????

10- $362.25 to Tim Occhipinti!  Yep, Timmy reimbursed HIMSELF with CAMPAIGN MONEY for money he paid from his "personal account" for Hurricane Sandy supplies!  What a cheapskate!

Folks, there are many more examples of this, but I haven't got all day.