The Millville Attorneys: Long and Schroeder

Team Santiago voted unanimously to hire Doug Long as the City’s Personnel, Foreclosure, Affordable Housing, and Tax Appeal attorneys.  Surprise, Surprise!!

Democratic Chairman/ City Attorney Doug Long once again is facing serious ethics violation charges.

On December 13, 2017, Doug Long was fined by the State of New Jersey Local Finance Board for an ethics violation. The details can be found at:

http://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/2017/12/cumberland-democratic-chairman-fined.html

This is not Mr. Long and his firm’s first ethics violation. They are repeat offenders.

In 2014, Mr. Long and his firm were fired by the City of Trenton because of yet more ethics charges. This link is:

http://www.trentonian.com/general-news/20140904/state-ethics-complaint-dooms-embattled-law-firm-from-doing-work-with-trenton

On November 4, 2016 the New Jersey Supreme Court reprimanded Long and his partner for another ethics violation.  The details of this violation can be found at:

https://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/2016/07/ethics-officials-recommend-reprimand.html

On November 9, 2017, the Election Law Enforcement Commission 

charged Long and Joe Derella with violating the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act. Joe Derella is a former Millville Commissioner and presently a Cumberland County Freeholder up for re-election. The details of these charges are found at:

https://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/2017/11/elec-files-complaints-against.html

And yes there is more. Mr. Long was directly involved with the June 2018 ethics violation involving Delran’s mayor. Delran’s mayor was recently found guilty of 2 ethics violations. Doug Long was involved in both of the charges. The details can be found at:

http://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/2018/06/burlington-county-mayor-cited-for.html

As a result of the most recent ethics charge, Long’s firm resigned as Delran’s municipal attorney. Details of the resignation can be found at:

http://www.burlingtoncountytimes.com/news/20180628/delran-changes-legal-representation-after-sudden-resignation

Doug Long has clearly demonstrated that he believes the rules do not apply to him. More importantly he lacks a moral compass and is undeterred by ethical rules of conduct.

Mr. Parent has repeatedly bragged that he only hires the best. If this is Mr. Parent’s idea of the best attorney for the city of Millville, what does his moral compass look like? Team Santiago constantly brag about their “positivity”. How is hiring an attorney with this track record positive?

Team Santiago’s choice for city solicitor was James Schroeder. Mr. Schroeder’s low bid covered attending meetings, preparing resolutions, and advising the mayor and commissioners. However looking at his bill, he is charging for preparing for the meetings he is to attend and advising the commissioners.

Here are a few examples:

          2-7-18  Draft correspondence to Mayor                               $105.00

          3-8-18   Review Meeting Minutes                                            $  45.00

          3-23-18 Review Agenda for April 3                                         $ 45.00

          3-28-18 Meetings with City Officials                                      $225.00

          4-2-18 Meeting with Mayor, Commissioner

              Udalovas, Brian P. and Regina B.                                           $225.00

          4-17-18 Prepare Statement for Commissioners                  $165.00

          6-6-18 Review and analysis of the agenda in 

              preparation for the Commission Meeting                         $ 75.00

           

Ms. Udalovas promised to look at all bills. Has she?

There is a clause in Mr. Schroeder’s contract stating that:

            “…If employees of the municipality request services from the                           Consultant which exceed the Scope of Services contained in Article II of this Contract, the services requested shall not be rendered until the Commissioner in charge of the Department has approved the of commencing of the work. “

Is this being done? Is there documentation showing the work was approved in advance? Is there an estimate of the cost prior to the approval? The total of Mr. Schroeder’s bill is already over $120,000. At this rate his contract will be out of money by September.

Some recently filed reports to ELEC shows The South Jersey Stands Tall, the PAC that funded the negative commercials during the recent election, has now gone dormant with the election of Team Santiago. No more money spent and no more money raised. The individual in charge of this PAC is James Schroeder’s office manager. The phone number is James Schroeder’s. Team Santiago should be nervous as this is similar to how the mayor of Delran got into ethics trouble.

http://njrandomgovt.blogspot.com/2018/06/burlington-county-mayor-cited-for.html

How is Atlantic County James Schroeder a positive force in the city of Millville? His contract is an obvious political payback at a great cost to the taxpayers.

It is easy to talk “positivity” but actions speak louder than words. Team Santiago is lining the pockets of out of town lawyers with very poor track records. Is this how you want your tax dollars spent? Speak up and let Team Santiago know what you think. Millville deserves to have ethical and honest legal representation.