The “porn lawyer” strikes back

Atlantic Sheriff Jim McGettigan isn’t particularly selective about the guests he invites to the fundraisers for his county executive candidacy.

Invited to a $1,000 per head McGettigan fundraiser last month was Eric Bernstein, the labor and first amendment attorney who McGettigan denounced as a “porn lawyer” in July. McGettigan had criticized his opponent Dennis Levinson for hiring Bernstein, even though Bernstein specifically worked as McGettigan’s labor counsel (McGettigan said he did not know that Bernstein did work on behalf of the porn industry).

Bernstein didn’t attend, of course, and received the invitation only after the date of the fundraiser had passed. But he was not sorry he missed out on the party. Instead, he penned a half-sarcastic response to McGettigan, which he copied to the Atlantic County Board of Chosen Freeholders.

“Am I to conclude to conclude that by your $1,000 per ticket solicitation that my First Amendment work is unacceptable to you, but the money I derive from that practice would be graciously accepted as a contribution in support of your campaing?” wrote Bernstein in the letter.

Bernstein went on to write that McGettigan’s charge had hurt him both professionally and personally, and wondered whether the invitation reflected a change of heart towards him on McGettigan’s part.

“In light of the invitation to your fundraiser I will conclude that unless I am informed otherwise, that your July press release was generated in the heat of a political campaign and does not accurately and real or truthful negativity about me or my abilities, “ said Bernstein.

McGettigan said that Bernstein was on the Atlantic County Democratic Party’s mailing list and was sent the invitation by mistake.

“It was quite simply an oversight. I did not invite him,” said McGettigan.

McGettigan pointed to the fact that the letter was copied to several people as proof that it was politically motivated.

“I don’t have any comment about him or his career. We stand by our press release –it’s factual and that’s pretty much it as far as we’re concerned,” said McGettigan. “It certainly was a politically motivated and driven letter,” said McGettigan.