Sabrin: NJ GOP Needs Reform NOW

Dr. Sabrin Makes Reform Pledge To Avoid Conflicts Of Interest Between Political Bosses And Lobbyists

Jersey City, NJ - New Jersey conservative Republican leader Dr. Murray Sabrin, the Garden State's strongest advocate of limited government and individual freedom and candidate for United States Senate, called for reform within the Republican Party in New Jersey by stating the State Chairman and County Chairmen should not serve as lobbyists nor do any business with government. Dr. Sabrin made his Reform Pledge not to meet with any lobbyist who also serves as a State Chairman or County Chairman of a political party. He also called upon his opponents, Joe Pennacchio and Andy Unanue to make the same Reform Pledge.

Two examples of Republican County Chairmen serving as lobbyists are Dale "Both Ways" Florio in Somerset County and Rob "Pay-to-Play" Ortiz in Bergen County.

Dr. Sabrin stated, "One of the main reasons the New Jersey Republican Party has continued to fail is because the leadership of the GOP is riddled with conflicts of interest. The grassroots of the Republican Party are begging for change and the current failed leadership doesn't care. When I win the Republican Primary in June, I will begin the process of cleaning up this repulsive mess." Sabrin continued, "If I am fortunate enough to be elected to the United States Senate, I pledge not meet with any lobbyist who also serves as a State Chairman or a County Chairman of any political party. I will lead by example and I call upon Joe Pennacchio and Andy Unanue to make the same Reform Pledge."

The Asbury Park Press recently published an article written by Martin Bricketto exposing "Both Ways" Florio and his conflicts of interest by serving as County Chairman and lobbying the elected officials he serves as their Boss. The article highlighted a $3.45 million grant to a hospital "Both Ways" Florio represented. The Senate Minority Leader Leonard Lance voted in favor of the grant while earlier in the year voted against a similar grant for a different hospital arguing it should be part of the regular budget process. Leonard Lance was rewarded with the Somerset County Endorsement last night for his congressional campaign. Dr. Sabrin responded to this appearance of corruption, "I am sure it is not the first time 'Both Ways' Florio was able to get State Senator Leonard Lance to go both ways on an issue, nor will it be his last. It is time to clean up this corrupt system."

Another example of the duplicity by "Both Ways" Florio was his denial of Dr. Murray Sabrin's campaign from speaking at the Somerset County Republican Convention on Thursday evening. Dr. Sabrin's communication director, George Ajjan, stated, "While 4,000 New Jersey families prepare to defend Democracy and freedom of speech in Iraq, a shady tobacco lobbyist blocked freedom of speech and Democracy right here in Somerset County. Shame on Dale Florio!"

"Pay-to-Play" Ortiz continues to refuse to disclose how much cash Andy Unanue has paid him and his firm recently. "Pay-to-Play" Ortiz admitted to being paid by Andy Unanue but cited lawyer-client privilege in declining to describe the kind of work he did or how much he's paid. "I'm not going to go into what he pays us for legal matters," Ortiz told the Bergen Record's Herb Jackson. Dr. Sabrin repeated his call for full disclosure, "Rob 'Pay-to-Play' Ortiz needs to come clean and disclose how much cash his slick nightclub owner from New York City, Andy Unanue, has paid his firm over the past two years. The Republican voters are demanding reform and openness from their political leaders."

Sabrin finished, "'Both Ways' Florio and 'Pay-to-Play' Ortiz give lobbyists a bad name and their heavy handed tactics give the Republican Party a black eye."

About Dale "Both Ways" Florio

Dale "Both Ways" Florio has the largest lobbying firm in New Jersey called Princeton Public Affairs. His company represents everything from tobacco companies to Commerce Bank (where he serves on the Board of Directors with Democratic Boss George Norcross). In addition, his company claims to abide by the American League of Lobbyists' Code of Ethics (http://www.alldc.org/ethicscode.cfm). "Both Ways" Florio violated Article IX, Section 9.1, last night in Somerset County by refusing to allow Dr. Murray Sabrin to speak before the Republican Convention. This section states, "A lobbyist should not act in any manner that will undermine public confidence and trust in the democratic governmental process."

About Rob "Pay-to-Play" Ortiz

Rob "Pay-to-Play" Ortiz is the Vice President of Porzio Governmental Affairs, the in-house lobbying arm of Porzio, Bromberg & Newman whose website claims "our significant contacts in the New Jersey Legislature and Executive Branch, Congress, and several federal agencies ensure access to key information and key decision makers."

Murray Sabrin is a retired successful entrepreneur working in commercial real estate, portfolio management, and economic research. Murray is an author, TV and radio commentator, and Professor and Executive Director of the Center for Business and Public Policy at Ramapo College. He and his wife Florence of 39 years reside in Bergen County. For more information, please visit www.murraysabrin.com.

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