Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (born May 17, 1952), widely known as Joe D., has been the County Executive of Essex County, New Jersey since 2003.

Joe DiVincenzo
Essex County Executive
Assumed office
January 2003
Preceded byJames W. Treffinger
Personal details
Born (1952-05-17) May 17, 1952
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
EducationNew Jersey City University (BA)

Background and Career

DiVincenzo attended Jersey City State College. where he played football for the Knights graduating in 1976 with a degree in public health.[1][2]

DiVincenzo was first elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1990. He served as the board's president for eight terms.[3] Prior to becoming freeholder, DiVincenzo held public jobs in Essex County as a parks supervisor, teacher, and athletics coordinator.[4]

County Executive

DiVincenzo was sworn in to his first term as County Executive of Essex County on January 1, 2003[5] after being elected in 2002; he was reelected for his fourth term in November 2014. He received the backing of the state's Democratic establishment, including Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, Stephen Sweeney, Vincent Prieto, Donald Payne Jr., and Steve Fulop.[6] DiVincenzo announced in December 2017 that he would be running for his fifth term of office.[7] He won the 2018 election with 80% of votes cast against West Orange's Adam Kraemer.[8]

Double dipping

Double dipping is the practice of simultaneously holding multiple elected positions or to being employed by and collecting retirement benefits from the same public authority at the same time.[9]

In 2011, DiVincenzo while still in office began to collect pension as County Executive. He justified the move by claiming that it is legal, as well as a good financial decision for his family.[4][10][11]

Statewide influence

DiVincenzo is generally considered to be a power broker and political boss of the Essex County political machine, exerting much influence on county and state politics.[12] In 2011 in The New York Times, New Jersey State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-Cedar Grove) is quoted as saying that "in terms of Democratic politics, Joe D. is becoming the king of North Jersey."[13]

Crossing party lines, he, and many other registered Democrats statewide, endorsed Republican Governor Chris Christie in his successful 2013 re-election bid.[14][15]

In 2021, he endorsed Governor Phil Murphy in his successful re-election bid.[16]

Campaign spending violations investigation

In October 2013, questions arose regarding DiVincenzo's campaign spending. The state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), in its 16-count complaint against DiVincenzo, alleged that he failed to properly report nearly $72,000 in campaign expenditures, and improperly spent more than $16,000.[17][18] In May 2014, the commission announced it would not hold hearings until after the election, tentatively in January 2015.[19] It is unclear whether the ELEC will hear the case. The four-person board, required by law to include two Democrats and two Republicans, has been without a Democratic member since Governor Christie has not appointed one. One Democrat, Walter Timpone, recused himself without explanation, leading to Divincenzo's lawyers' claims that there must be an official quorum.[20] The case is unlikely to proceed.[21][22] Governor Christie chose not to replace the Democrat, effectively crippling the ELEC.[23]

Personal life

After residing for 34 years in Nutley, he moved with his wife Donna to Roseland in 2013.[24] He has two children, Kimberly DiVincenzo-Root and Joseph DiVincenzo.[1]

References
  1. Kukaj, Hasime (July 29, 2013). "Essex County executive moving out of Nutley". The Record. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  2. "Joseph DiVincenzo Class of 1976". New Jersey City University. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  3. "DiVincenzo elected freeholder press". Jersey Hills.com. January 20, 2002. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  4. Staff (March 31, 2011). "Loophole allows Essex County Executive DiVincenzo to collect full salary, pension". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  5. Nikita, Stewart (2003-01-02). "Executive takes office in Essex with vow to keep out corruption". infoweb.newsbank.com. Newark, NJ: Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) (published Jan 2, 2003). p. Page: 15; Section: NEW JERSEY. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  6. Lee, Eurice (December 13, 2013). "Cory Booker, Democratic leaders back Essex executive Joseph DiVincenzo for re-election". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  7. Santola, Danielle. "Essex County Executive Launches 2018 Re-Election Campaign", TAP into West Essex, December 12, 2017. Accessed March 19, 2018. "Amid a sea of supporters from Washington, D.C. to Trenton, from Newark City Hall to the outer reaches of West Essex, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo formally announced his re-election campaign in Newark on Monday morning at Essex County Veterans Memorial Park. DiVincenzo, a Newark native who now lives in Roseland, is seeking his fifth term. He was first elected as county executive in 2002."
  8. "Joseph DiVincenzo Jr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  9. Prial, Dunstan (13 March 2014). "Double-Dipping Pensioners Bleeding NJ Dry - Fox Business". Fox Business. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  10. Editorial Board (April 3, 2011). "Q & A with ... Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.: Essex County executive says pension decision 'was right for my family'". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  11. Donohue, Brian (May 21, 2014). "Christie scoops out pension fund as pal double dipper Joe D looks on". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  12. "The Answer Is No". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  13. Perez-Pena, Richard (January 18, 2011). "Democratic Power Broker in New Jersey Has Governor's Ear". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  14. Dopp, Terrence (June 11, 2013). "Christie Endorsed by N.J. Democratic Leader DiVincenzo". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  15. Friedman, Matt (June 11, 2013). "Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo endorses Christie". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  16. "DiVincenzo endorses Murphy for re-election". January 13, 2020.
  17. Hayes, Melissa (October 2, 2014). "Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo faces 16-count complaint on campaign violations". The Record. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  18. Friedman, Matt (October 8, 2013). "DiVincenzo critic wants to know more about his campaign spending". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  19. "DiVincenzo's day in court will come after his election: The Auditor". The Star-Ledger. May 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  20. Sherman, Ted (July 6, 2014). "NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  21. "Charges against DiVincenzo over misuse of campaign funds facing dismissal". 17 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  22. "Christie cripples ethics watchdog to help his Democratic pal, DiVincenzo - Moran". 20 September 2015. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  23. "NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case". 6 July 2014. Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  24. Lee, Eujrice (September 18, 2013). "Essex Co.'s Joe D leaves his longtime home in Nutley, buys new house in Roseland". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
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