SOUTH JERSEY (KYW Newsradio) — Two South Jersey Transportation Authority officials have been charged with allegedly withholding payment to a contractor as political retaliation.
New Jersey Attorney General Matt Platkin said SJTA Board Vice President Chris Milam and Board Commissioner Bryan Bush, both of Sewell, conspired to deny payment on invoices submitted by an engineering contractor for work that was already completed. Then, they allegedly lied about it.
Platkin said their votes during board meetings were politically motivated to stop payment. Investigators said a text from Milam to Bush last year before the vote read, “They cut South Jersey in Mercer County so we vote no.”
Both men are involved with South Jersey Democrats. Investigators say one of the contractors is a Mercer County commissioner who had a feud with an unnamed South Jersey Democratic leader.
Platkin said this sends a clear message: “No matter how connected or powerful you are, if there is evidence suggesting that you have used your position and taxpayer dollars for political retribution or gain, we will hold you accountable.”
If convicted of official misconduct, both men face five to 10 years in jail. The investigation is ongoing.
A spokesperson for SJTA says they have no comment on the ongoing investigation.