Donald Cresitello unsuccessfully ran for U.S. senate in the Democratic primary
Former Morristown Mayor and US Senate candidate Donald Cresitello in this file photo. He will pay the state more than 11,000 over alleged campaign violations.MORRISTOWN — Former Morristown Mayor Donald Cresitello has agreed to pay a hefty fine to the state over alleged campaign finance violations during his run for office five years ago.
Cresitello, a Democrat who made headlines for his stance against illegal immigration, has agreed to pay $11,375 to the state by the end of next year, though as part of the settlement he does not admit to any wrongdoing. He already paid $2,750 last month.
The fine was reduced from the original penalty of $14,225, though Cresitello will be responsible for the full amount if he does not pay in time.
Last October, the Election Law Enforcement Commission brought a complaint against Cresitello, charging he was late filing several campaign finance reports, failed to disclose information about his occupation and employer, and was late in returning contributions that exceeded the legal limit.
“It’s part of the commission’s ongoing efforts to be as aggressive as possible in this area in order to enhance disclosure,” said Jeffrey Brindle, the commission’s executive director.
Cresitello began his career as an elected official when he won election as a councilman in 1972. He served as mayor from 1978 to 1981, and was elected councilman several more times before he was elected mayor again in 2005. He lost the Democratic primary last year. In 1982 and 2008, he unsuccessfully ran for U.S. senate in the Democratic primary.
Cresitello was a high profile mayor, championing a program to that would allow the Morristown police to enforce federal immigration law. But he clashed with more liberal members of his party and other high profile officials, including then-U.S. Attorney Chris Christie, who accused him of “hyperbole” and “grandstanding” for accusing the federal government of not doing enough to stop illegal immigration.
The commission also fined former Bradley Beach Mayor Stephen Schueler, a Democrat, $950 for repeatedly filing late reports from his 2000 campaign.
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