New Jersey Lawmaker Reaches Settlement Over Campaign Spending and Reporting Violations
A New Jersey state senator has agreed to resolve an election law case after state regulators found problems with campaign finance reporting and questioned the use of campaign funds for certain travel-related expenses. The case resulted in a financial penalty and a payment agreement that will continue through 2027.
According to a final decision issued by the New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), State Sen. Benjie E. Wimberly of Passaic County and his campaign treasurer, David Cozart Jr., agreed to settle allegations involving late campaign finance filings, incomplete reporting of contributions, and campaign expenditures that regulators determined were not permitted under state law.
The commission released its final decision on July 1 after months of legal proceedings. The matter began with a complaint filed in December 2024, when ELEC alleged that required pre-election and quarterly campaign finance reports had not been submitted on time and that certain campaign funds had been used for expenses that did not comply with state campaign finance rules.
Among the expenses reviewed by the commission were hotel stays and airline travel paid for using campaign funds. The records included payments of hundreds of dollars to hotel properties and a commercial airline during 2022. While the commission listed the amounts of those transactions, it did not identify where the hotels were located or where the flights were headed.
As part of the settlement, Wimberly’s attorney said the senator chose to resolve the matter so he could remain focused on serving the residents of his legislative district. The attorney also stated that neither Wimberly nor his treasurer admitted to the alleged violations or accepted wrongdoing. They continue to believe that the disputed campaign expenses were allowed under the law, according to the statement included in the commission’s decision.
The original financial penalty exceeded $24,000. However, after the respondents made a partial payment of $4,000 earlier this year, the Election Law Enforcement Commission reduced the remaining penalty by $5,000. The final amount owed now stands at $19,335.53.
Under the terms of the agreement, the remaining balance of $15,335.53 will be paid through four scheduled instalments, with the final payment due by April 15, 2027. The payment schedule was included in the commission’s final order.
Court records show that both sides finalised the settlement before the end of May. During a public meeting held on June 16, members of the Election Law Enforcement Commission unanimously voted to approve the final decision, officially bringing the enforcement action to a close.
Campaign finance laws are designed to promote transparency and accountability in elections by requiring candidates and political committees to accurately report donations and expenditures. These rules help voters understand how campaigns are funded and how campaign money is spent.
The resolution of this case serves as another reminder that state election regulators continue to monitor campaign finance compliance and can impose financial penalties when reporting requirements or spending rules are not followed. Although the settlement concludes the enforcement action, it does not include an admission of liability by the senator or his campaign treasurer.
Sources
- New Jersey Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC) – Final Decision and Consent Order (Official Source)
