Did you get another robo-call?

On Saturday, April 16th, Sussex County residents got a prerecorded "robo-call" from the campaign of David Gray and Kathleen Gorman, candidates for Sussex County Freeholder.  The message originated from Philadelphia (zip code 19120) and callers to the originating telephone number got this message:

Prior to this -- on Monday, January 25th -- Sussex County residents got a prerecorded "robo-call" asking residents to attend a meeting of the Sussex County Freeholder Board and oppose the investigation of the Sussex solar bailout.  This message also originated from Philadelphia (zip code 19120) and callers to the originating telephone number got this message:

The solar scam artists who ripped-off Sussex County and their allies have made killing this independent investigation their top priority.  First they tried blocking it. Then they tried intimidating the Freeholder Board.  Now it appears they are trying to replace the Board with allies of Freeholder Richard Vohden, who has arguedfor spending millions on the bailout and against an investigation on how those millions were misspent.

The reason Sussex County needs a county investigation is simple.  The solar scam cost $88 million.  Sussex taxpayers are on the hook for $24 million and another $10 million for the bailout. 

It is not the job of the federal and state law enforcement agencies investigating the solar scam to protect the interests of Sussex County.  The federal authorities will try to claw back the federal money involved in the scam.  Who is looking out for Sussex County taxpayers?

That's where an independent county investigation comes in.  It is a fact-finding mission to build a case to get some of those millions back through civil action. 

The FBI and State Attorney General's office are looking for criminal indictments.  That may punish those responsible, but it won't get our money back.  That is why the investment in an independent county investigation is money well spent.

Whoever paid for the call to block the investigation does not appear to have followed the law under which robo-calls are permitted.

First, "the prerecorded message must truthfully disclose who is responsible for the call and the telemarketing-related purpose of the call." 

Second, "the prerecorded message must disclose a call-back telephone number which would allow the recipient to call back within normal business hours and make an opt-out request."

The prerecorded message sent into the homes of Sussex County residents on January 25th did not abide by these legal rules.  In fact, it could be argued that the call was deliberately misleading and made it appear to come from an innocent party.  A prosecutor would have to determine if the robo-call was an attempt by those who paid for the call to hide their identity and to impersonate an innocent party.  In 2009, the State Attorney General brought a successful prosecution against a similar incident in Bergen County. 

The Federal Communication Commission expanded Telephone Consumer Protection Act regulations in June of last year.  Stay tuned... 

Did you get an illegal robo-call?

On Monday, January 25th, Sussex County residents got a prerecorded "robo-call" asking people to attend Wednesday's meeting of the Sussex County Freeholder Board and oppose an investigation of the Sussex solar bailout that has cost county taxpayers millions.  The recorded message repeats the argument advanced by Freeholder Richard Vohden -- that the Freeholders should hold off commissioning an independent county investigation until after the status of state and federal criminal investigations are determined. 

Vohden knows that means holding off on a county investigation indefinitely because the state and federal investigations now underway are criminal investigations.  The Federal Bureau of Investigation, the United States Justice Department, the NJ State Police, and the NJ Attorney General's office are not permitted to comment on active criminal investigations.

The reason Sussex County needs a independent investigation is simple.  The solar scam cost $88 million.  Sussex taxpayers are on the hook for $24 million and they just borrowed another $7 million and the bill for that is coming due shortly.  It will likely cause a sharp increase in property taxes.

It is not the job of those law enforcement agencies to protect the interests of Sussex County.  They could even cite Sussex County officials for malfeasance and who would pay for that?  The federal authorities will try to claw back the federal money involved in the scam.  Who is looking out for Sussex County taxpayers?

That's where an independent county investigation comes in.  It is a fact-finding mission to build a case to get some of those millions back through civil action. 

The FBI and State Attorney General's office are looking for criminal indictments.  That may punish those responsible, but it won't get our money back.  That is why the investment in an independent county investigation is money well spent.

Vohden is joined in his opposition to the independent county investigation by the corporate vendors, legal counsel, consultants, and political players who made millions off the solar scam.  Unfortunately for whoever paid for the call, they appear to have not followed the law under which robo-calls are permitted.

First, "the prerecorded message must truthfully disclose who is responsible for the call and the telemarketing-related purpose of the call."

Second, "the prerecorded message must disclose a call-back telephone number which would allow the recipient to call back within normal business hours and make an opt-out request."

The prerecorded message sent into the homes of Sussex County residents did not abide by these legal rules.  In fact, it could be argued that the call was deliberately misleading and made it appear to come from the County Clerk's office.  A prosecutor would have to determine if the robo-call was an attempt by those who paid for the call to hide their identity and to impersonate an innocent party.  In 2009, the State Attorney General brought a successful prosecution against a similar incident in Bergen County. 

In any case, there is enough to warrant action by the Federal Communication Commission under the expanded Telephone Consumer Protection Act regulations that came into force in June of last year.  So look for this issue to figure in the Freeholder races in both Sussex and Morris counties.

If you would like to add your name to those reporting this robo-call to state and federal authorities, please contact Watchdog at:  info@sussexcountywatchdog.com

Update on Tuesday, January 26, 2016 at 2:06AM by Sussex County Watchdog

Update:  Apparently, the robo-call was sent from the Philadelphia area.  It may be entirely unconnected, but readers will remember that in preparation for the reorganization of the Freeholder Board and Freeholder Vohden's initial attempt to delay the solar investigation, Vohden travelled down to Philadelphia to huddle with former Freeholder Director Richard Zeoli, the politico who first introduced the Morris County solar operators into Sussex County. 

Vohden feeling the heat on solar investigation

Freeholder Richard Vohden loves to tell stories about his days in construction as a union operator.  If Vohden's colorful stories are to be believed, then he should know full well that law enforcement NEVER comments on active investigations.

At last evening's meeting of the Freeholder Board, Vohden suggested that the Freeholders hold off commissioning any independent county investigation into the Sussex solar scam that ripped-off county taxpayers for millions, until after the status of possible state and federal criminal investigations is determined.  That means holding off on a county investigation indefinitely.

Vohden is being dishonest and he knows it.  He told the Freeholder Board that he made a round of telephone calls to the state and federal law enforcement agencies and understands from those calls that some kind of action is underway.  What he is trying to prevent is an independent county investigation.

The reason Sussex County needs a county investigation is simple.  The solar scam cost $88 million.  Sussex taxpayers are on the hook for $24 million and they just borrowed another $7 million and the bill for that is coming due shortly.  It will likely cause a sharp increase in property taxes. 

It is not the job of these law enforcement agencies to protect the interests of Sussex County.  They could even cite Sussex County officials for malfeasance and who would pay for that? The federal authorities will try to claw back the federal money involved in the scam.  Who is looking out for Sussex County taxpayers? 

That's where an independent county investigation comes in.  It is a fact-finding mission to build a case to get some of those millions back through civil action. 

The FBI and State Attorney General's office are looking for criminal indictments.  That may punish those responsible, but it won't get our money back.  That is why the investment in an independent county investigation is money well spent.

Freeholder Vohden appears to be arguing that we simply accept the screwing, pay the money, don't ask questions, keep paying the money, and do nothing to get our money back.  That is a weak, panty-waist approach in our opinion. 

Freeholders Richard Vohden and Phil Crabb voted for the solar bail out with taxpayers' money with no intention of ever trying to find out if the Wall Street manipulators, lawyers, and consultants did something wrong.  No attempt to recover a dime of the millions wasted.  They are part of the mess and bear some responsibility for where we are today.  Freeholders George Graham, Jonathan Rose, and Carl Lazzaro opposed the bailout and campaigned with the PROMISE that there would be an independent county investigation.

Back before the June 2015 primary, even Vohden claimed to support an independent investigation because back then he was trying to deny the existence of state and federal criminal investigations.  Why the flip-flop Richie? 

It is important for the Freeholders who campaigned on the PROMISE of an independent county investigation to keep that PROMISE.  Voters are already skeptical of elected officials.  Don't give them a reason to believe the worst of politicians.

Update on Thursday, January 14, 2016 at 12:15PM by Sussex County Watchdog

Simple proof as to why Freeholder Vohden is either stone cold stupid or trying to obstruct an investigation.  Go to the FBI website (www.FBI.gov) and you will find this list of elementary-school level basic information from the FBI for dealing with the FBI:

Search Tips

The FBI does not investigate all kinds of criminal activity. To see the categories of federal laws that the FBI does investigate, see our What We Investigate webpage.

• If you are looking for information about yourself or a case you are involved in, you must submit a Privacy Act request.

• The FBI does not comment on all current, ongoing cases. See our field press releases for public information on our investigations.

• The FBI is limited in the amount of information and photos it can provide on wanted fugitives and missing persons. We also do not investigate all fugitives or missing persons in the United States; many cases are handled by local authorities or other federal agenices.

• To find crime statistics in your area, please see our Crime Statistics webpage.

• The FBI does not have a national e-mail address for public questions or comments. Some of our local FBI offices, however, do have their own e-mail addresses. See our Contact Us page for more contact information.

• To find high resolution photos, go to our Photo Gallery.

• If you are looking for an FBI job application or open vacancies, go to the FBI Jobs website.

• If you wish to talk directly to an FBI representative, please call (202) 324-3000.