Former Englewood Candidate Cited for Failing to File Election Expenses

State election officials have filed a civil complaint against former Englewood council candidate Shalissa Burgess for failure to file campaign finance reports for the 2011 primary election, officials said. 

According to the state Election Law Enforcement Commission, Burgess did not file necessary expense-reporting paperwork with the state. 

ELEC spokesman Joe Donohue said Burgess and the 61 other politicians cited last week could face penalties up to $6,800, but anyone willing to file the missing documents and cooperate with the agency will likely be fined a lot less.

“That’s the maximum we can assess, but we have a lot of discretion,” Donohue said. “We are here mainly to ensure disclosure, not to punish people.”

Donohue said candidates on the list have 20 days to answer the citation by either filing the missing documents or requesting a hearing.

“If they disagree, they can ask for a hearing before an administrative judge,” Donohue said.

Burgess ran for the Third Ward city council seat as a Republican and could not be reached for comment Tuesday. 

Seven other politicians running for municipal offices in Bergen County were also cited for failing to submit reports for the primary election - Former Ramsey Councilman Bruce Vozeh, Dumont mayoral candidate James O'Neil and council candidates Frank Polise and Robert Zeitlinger, and Norwood mayoral candidate James Barsa and council candidates Marianne Orecchio and Barry Scott.

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