Final Appeal by Mayor Petillo.....Violated State Ethics Law....Ignorance of the Law or Just Plain Stupidity?

DCA said "Sylvia Petillo broke a state local government ethics law when she used borough money to fund a mailing to residents advocating a referendum in early 2012"... http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/hopatcong-mayor-violated-ethics-law-state-says and the DCA held up that decision in September of 2013 http://hopatcong-sparta.patch.com/groups/politics-and-elections/p/mayors-2011-referendum-letter-violated-state-law-says-state-board despite Petillo maintaining throughout the process that the charges against her were vague. 

Petillo said "It took 10 months for the Ethics Committee to render a decision, which suggests that they had a difficult time with the issue and needed to find some supporting authority to back up their final decision," further adding that she paid for her attorney's work during the appeal out of her own pocket. She went on further to say..."It seems they relied heavily on a 38-year old attorney general’s opinion letter. These opinion letters are not easily searched for guidance and are archived on the state’s site. 

She said "I find it unfortunate that our Government Ethics Law does not provide a more detailed guide for elected officials so this type of situation would not occur." The old blame game. 

But is this what really happened? Not actually. I guess when you wait till after the November elections to file the appeal, then you have 4 postponements and several additional appeals it takes 10 months. I counted (4) delays after December postponement up through April 2013 on the agendas posted here....  http://www.state.nj.us/dca/divisions/dlgs/programs/lfb.html#1 ....so I guess the DCA got tired of hearing the excuses and the charges stuck on he final appeal and the 38 year old Attorney General was smarter than the 5th grader. 

In regards to Petillo saying... "I find it unfortunate that our Government Ethics Law does not provide a more detailed guide for elected officials so this type of situation would not occur." FYI...the law is quite specific (see attachments) and since the Mayor had the opportunity to approach Borough Attorney John Ursin about the legality of the letter BEFORE it was sent "ignorance is bliss".