A state committee that oversees judicial conduct has filed a complaint against Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Curcio over Curcio’s role in a fundraiser held for Republican 2nd District Assembly candidate Chris Brown.
In March, Curcio listed himself as “Host Committee Chairman” for Brown in a letter inviting supporters to a fundraiser at Chickie’s and Pete’s, an Egg Harbor Township restaurant.
According to the complaint filed by the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial conduct, Curcio violated the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which prohibits surrogates from engaging in partisan political activity and from holding a leadership position or serving as a spokesman for a partisan political organization.
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A state committee that oversees judicial conduct has filed a complaint against Atlantic County Surrogate Jim Curcio over Curcio’s role in a fundraiser held for Republican 2nd District Assembly candidate Chris Brown.
In March, Curcio listed himself as “Host Committee Chairman” for Brown in a letter inviting supporters to a fundraiser at Chickie’s and Pete’s, an Egg Harbor Township restaurant.
According to the complaint filed by the Supreme Court Advisory Committee on Judicial conduct, Curcio violated the Code of Conduct for Judicial Employees, which prohibits surrogates from engaging in partisan political activity and from holding a leadership position or serving as a spokesman for a partisan political organization.
The complaint charges Curcio with violation of two additional Canons of the code: Canon 1, which requires judges to observe high standards of conduct so that the integrity and independence of the judiciary may be preserved and Canon 2, which requires judges to respect and comply with the law and to act at all times in a manner that promotes public confidence in the integrity and impartiality of the judiciary.
As surrogate, Curcio acts as the judge of the probate, which puts him under the jurisdiction of the ethics committee.
The committee’s complaint stems from an earlier one filed by Hammonton resident Richard C. Jacobus.
“The Host Committee was comprised of over 80 people,” Jacobus said in his complaint. “Not only did Judge Curcio host the event, he was actively involved in soliciting funds from individuals for said event. Many of those 80 members of the host committee are indeed attorneys, and Judge Curcio knows this. Many of the same attorneys could also appear or have appeared before him in Surrogate Court, which is a clear conflict of interest, and creates an appearance of impropriety.”
Reached early Monday, Curcio declined to comment on the complaint saying only that he would “go through the process.”
An attorney and Iraq War veteran, Brown is running on a ticket with Assemblyman Vince Polistina, (R-2), and Assemblyman John Amodeo, (R-2).
In August, Brown called the complaint baseless, and said there is not telling the effect on his reputation from the “political shenanigans.”
“What can’t be known is how these false charges will affect my reputation as a candidate or in my profession,” Brown said then. “It is exactly these types of baseless attacks that keep good people from seeking office. Any reasonable examination of this complaint will lead to the conclusion that it is a calculated effort to garner headlines instead of actually solving problems.”
Brown did not immediately return a call for comment.
If it is found that he has violated judicial ethics, Curcio could face a range of penalties including removal from the bench.<–>
