Congressional candidate Jon Runyan 'takes responsibility' for late property tax payments, lawsuits

Candidates don’t typically advertise their unsavory behavior, but Republican congressional hopeful Jon Runyan today opened his closet and let the skeletons tumble out — revealing late property tax payments, two lawsuits and a tax lien. "I take ownership of every mistake I’ve ever made," said Runyan, a former Philadelphia Eagles lineman. Previous coverage: • Ex-Philadelphia Eagle Runyan discusses 'dirty...

Matt Rainey/The Star-LedgerJon Runyan, a former Philadelphia Eagles Football Player, is a candidate for a Republican congressional seat. Runyan wants to unseat U.S. Rep. John Adler in South Jersey .
Candidates don’t typically advertise their unsavory behavior, but Republican congressional hopeful Jon Runyan today opened his closet and let the skeletons tumble out — revealing late property tax payments, two lawsuits and a tax lien.

"I take ownership of every mistake I’ve ever made," said Runyan, a former Philadelphia Eagles lineman.

Runyan’s admissions at his campaign headquarters in Mount Laurel were perhaps the political equivalent of the "fair catch" football play in which a receiver downs the ball after catching a punt to avoid opponents hurtling towards him.

The 36-year-old candidate has been hit by a series of unflattering news stories since November, when he first said he might run. Most recently, it was a 1995 arrest for driving under the influence, when he was a University of Michigan student. Prior to that, it was his spotty voting history and a farmland tax break he gets on 20 acres of his Mount Laurel estate because he sells firewood and raises miniature donkeys.

Runyan wants to unseat freshman Rep. John Adler (D-3rd Dist.) in the vast southern New Jersey district that stretches from the Ocean County coast to the Delaware River.

But first he has to get by Justin Murphy in the GOP primary. Murphy is a former Tabernacle Township committeeman who had a strong third-place showing in the district’s primary two years ago. Runyan now is favored to win their contest.

Come autumn, the 3rd District race is expected to be among the most competitive in the state.

Runyan today said Adler shared dirt on him. Adler’s campaign manager declined comment.

"I didn’t put it out there — until now," said Runyan, who nevertheless didn’t rule out using his own opposition research. "I’m not saying I would or I wouldn’t, but I’m not playing the game of starting my campaign trying to smear him."

In 2007, the state of California issued a lien against a company Runyan owned that had a majority stake in the San Diego Riptide — a defunct arena football team — for $1,604 in back taxes for 2004. The company paid the money and California released the lien in 2008.

In 2006, the owner of a company that leased equipment like Astroturf and goal posts to the Riptide sued Runyan and the team’s co-owner, alleging breach of a lease agreement. Runyan said the suit was settled with no money changing hands.

In 2008, author Frank Moriarty sued Runyan in Camden County Superior Court, alleging breach of contract over a book they were working on together about Runyan’s Eagles career. Runyan said the suit was settled last month.

From 2000 to 2009, Runyan paid property taxes late 33 out of 96 times on his Texas and Mount Laurel properties. In most cases, he was no more than two months late.

"Frankly it’s careless, and I regret doing it," Runyan said.