DEMOCRATS TO VALENTIN: INVESTIGATE CLEARY’S ABUSE OF PUBLIC FUNDS

Mallet and Mason Call for Assistant County Counsel to Be Held Accountable; Question Why County Republicans Have Failed to Protect Taxpayers 

(OCEAN, NJ) – Freeholder Candidates Amy Mallet (D-Fair Haven) and Glenn Mason (D-Hazlet) today issued a letter to Monmouth County Prosecutor Louis A. Valentin calling on him to investigate how an assistant county counsel received $165,000 in health and pension benefits he was not entitled to.  

The letter comes on the heels of an Asbury Park Press story and an editorial, which brought to light the improprieties that led to Mr. Cleary receiving $165,000 in retirement health and pension benefits. 

Mallet and Mason said they wrote the letter because they are concerned the Republican-controlled freeholder board was whitewashing the issue after Freeholder Director Lillian Burry called it “an administrative matter.” 

“We are hopeful that Mr. Valentin and his office will conduct a full and thorough investigation to ensure that Mr. Cleary is held accountable and, most importantly, that the public’s trust is restored,” said Mallet. 

Below is an excerpt from Mallet and Mason’s letter to Monmouth County Prosecutor Luis A. Valentin: 

“At the very least, Mr. Cleary should be held accountable if there was any criminal wrong doing for the public monies that he received from the ratepayers of WMUA and be required to issue a public apology.  We know you have a strong track record of cracking down on public corruption and abuse. Despite Director Lillian Burry dismissing the issue, we have complete confidence that this matter will be treated with the same level of importance as all your other cases.”  

“As taxpayers we expect Burry to advocate for us, but this is clearly not the case.  There are 27,000 ratepayers in Western Monmouth County who deserve answers,” said Mallet.  “It’s time for action, and that’s why we are hopeful that County Prosecutor Valentin will right this wrong.” 

“It is clear to me: Mr. Cleary needs to be held accountable to the ratepayers of the WMUA, and the Republican led county administration needs to stop defending him.” said Mason 

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