LD11: Gopal’s civic association accused of aiding the Democrat senator’s re-election campaign

Vin Gopal

State Senator Vin Gopal’s Republican challenger is accusing the “Vin Gopal Civic Association,” a 501(c)(3) organization, of engaging in campaign-like activities which she says warrant action of authorities in Trenton and Washington, D.C.

This week, Lori Annetta (R-Freehold Borough) wrote to the New Jersey Attorney General, Election Law Enforcement Commission and Internal Revenue Service requesting an investigation into possible violations of federal and state laws.

“Senator Gopal specifically added his name and title as Senator to a bulk mailing sent by this ‘charity, that landed in voters mailboxes during the first week of October just days before the start of early voting in New Jersey on October 23 and during the mail-in voting period,” Annetta alleged in a statement.

An image of the mailer included in Annetta’s letter to the N.J. Attorney General.

The cited mailer (pictured on the right) is an invitation to a “family day” event in Ocean Township purportedly intended to support local VFWs and American Legions. Ocean lies inside Gopal’s 11th Legislative District.  

“This event, as well as the bulk mailing that was done by the charitable organization with not just the organization’s name, but also ‘Senator Vin Gopal’ with top billing on the flier, in the days leading up to a hotly contested election for Senator Gopal’s legislative seat, is clear evidence that Senator Gopal is utilizing the Vin Gopal Civic Association to solicit and spend ‘charitable contributions’ for the purpose of promoting himself throughout his legislative district while simultaneously operating his political reelection campaign,” Annetta charged.

Copies of Annetta’s letters can be viewed here.

Annetta’s letters raise the question of whether Gopal’s civic organization violated the New Jersey Campaign Contributions and Expenditures Reporting Act as well as the Charitable Registration and Investigation Act among other laws.

One of the alleged violations concerns the function of 501(c)(3) organizations which are tax exempt under federal law; they are also specifically prohibited from supporting political candidates. The exemption itself remains controversial and violations of the decades-old law – both proven and alleged – are not uncommon. In fact, the former Donald J. Trump Foundation has been accused by New York authorities of violating this prohibition.

Consequently, the allegations can be hard to prove since what qualifies as campaign activities occupies a legal gray area.

The Republican challenger is getting support in her quest for a formal investigation from the New Jersey Republican State Committee (NJGOP). 

“[G]opal’s incumbent Assembly running-mates Eric Houghtaling and Joann Downey must immediately inform the public whether or not they will continue to participate in the Senator’s phony, self-promoting ‘charitable’ events, unless of course they wish to be complicit in potential criminal behavior,” said NJGOP Executive Director Tom Szymanski.

Gopal is slightly favored for reelection in his Monmouth County district, but Garden State Republicans strongly believe LD11 (which has only been “blue” for a handful of cycles) is also the most likely to be a “surprise” on Election Night if the Republican ticket – led by Jack Ciattarelli – performs strongly.

Matt Rooney
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MATT ROONEY is SaveJersey.com's founder and editor-in-chief, a practicing New Jersey attorney, and the host of 'The Matt Rooney Show' on 1210 WPHT every Sunday evening from 7-10PM EST.