Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.

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Joe DiVincenzo
Essex County Executive
Assumed office
January 2003
Preceded byJames W. Treffinger
Personal details
Born (1952-05-17) May 17, 1952 (age 69)
Newark, New Jersey, U.S.
Political partyDemocratic
Alma materNew Jersey City University
(BA)
Websiteessexcountynj.org/essex-county-executive/

Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr. (born May 17, 1952), widely known as Joe D., has been the County Executive of Essex County, New Jersey since 2003.

Background and Career[]

DiVincenzo attended Jersey City State College. where he played football for the Knights graduating in 1976 with a degree in public health.[1][2]

DiVincenzo was first elected to the Essex County Board of Chosen Freeholders in 1990. He served as the board's president for eight terms.[3] Prior to becoming freeholder, DiVincenzo held public jobs in Essex County as a parks supervisor, teacher, and athletics coordinator.[4]

County Executive[]

DiVincenzo was sworn in to his first term as County Executive of Essex County on January 1, 2003[5] after being elected in 2002; he was reelected for a fourth term in November 2014. He received the backing of the state's Democratic establishment including Bob Menendez, Cory Booker, Stephen Sweeney, Vincent Prieto, Donald Payne Jr. and Steve Fulop.[6] DiVincenzo announced in December 2017 that he would be running for a fifth term of office.[7] He won the 2018 election with 80% of votes cast.[8]

Double dipping[]

Double dipping is the practice of simultaneously holding multiple elected positions or to being employed by and collecting retirement benefits from the same public authority at the same time.[9]

In 2011, DiVincenzo while still in office began to collect pension as County Executive. He justified the move by claiming that it is legal and a good decision for his family.[4][10][11]

Statewide influence[]

DiVincenzo is generally considered to be a power broker and political boss of the Essex County political machine, exerting much influence on county and state politics.[12] In 2011 in The New York Times, New Jersey State Senator Kevin O'Toole (R-Essex) is quoted as saying that "in terms of Democratic politics, Joe D. is becoming the king of North Jersey."[13]

Crossing party lines, he endorsed Republican Governor Chris Christie in his successful 2013 re-election bid.[14][15]

Campaign spending violations investigation[]

In October 2013, questions arose regarding DiVincenzo's campaign spending. The state Election Law Enforcement Commission (ELEC), in 16-count complaint, alleged that he failed to properly report nearly $72,000 in campaign expenditures and improperly spent more than $16,000.[16][17] In May 2014, the commission announced it would not hold a hearing until after election, tentatively in January 2015.[18] It is unclear whether the ELEC will hear the case. The four-person board, by law required to include two Democrats and two Republicans, has been without a Democratic member since Governor Christie has not appointed one. One Democrat, Walter Timpone, recused himself without explanation leading to Divincenzo's lawyers claims that there must be a quorum.[19] The case is unlikely to proceed.[20][21] Governor Christie chose not to replace the Democrat, effectively crippling the ELEC.[22]

Personal life[]

After residing for 34 years in Nutley, he moved with his wife Donna to Roseland in 2013.[23] He has two children, Kimberly DiVincenzo-Root and Joseph DiVincenzo.[1]

References[]

  1. ^ a b Kukaj, Hasime (July 29, 2013). "Essex County executive moving out of Nutley". The Record. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  2. ^ "Joseph DiVincenzo Class of 1976". New Jersey City University. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  3. ^ "DiVincenzo elected freeholder press". Jersey Hills.com. January 20, 2002. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  4. ^ a b Staff (March 31, 2011). "Loophole allows Essex County Executive DiVincenzo to collect full salary, pension". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  5. ^ Nikita, Stewart (2003-01-02). "Executive takes office in Essex with vow to keep out corruption". infoweb.newsbank.com. Newark, NJ: Star-Ledger, The (Newark, NJ) (published Jan 2, 2003). p. Page: 15; Section: NEW JERSEY. Retrieved 2021-05-24.
  6. ^ Lee, Eurice (December 13, 2013). "Cory Booker, Democratic leaders back Essex executive Joseph DiVincenzo for re-election". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  7. ^ Santola, Danielle. "Essex County Executive Launches 2018 Re-Election Campaign", TAP into West Essex, December 12, 2017. Accessed March 19, 2018. "Amid a sea of supporters from Washington, D.C. to Trenton, from Newark City Hall to the outer reaches of West Essex, Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo formally announced his re-election campaign in Newark on Monday morning at Essex County Veterans Memorial Park. DiVincenzo, a Newark native who now lives in Roseland, is seeking his fifth term. He was first elected as county executive in 2002."
  8. ^ "Joseph DiVincenzo Jr". Ballotpedia. Retrieved 2021-01-22.
  9. ^ Prial, Dunstan (13 March 2014). "Double-Dipping Pensioners Bleeding NJ Dry - Fox Business". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  10. ^ Editorial Board (April 3, 2011). "Q & A with ... Joseph N. DiVincenzo Jr.: Essex County executive says pension decision 'was right for my family'". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  11. ^ Donohue, Brian (May 21, 2014). "Christie scoops out pension fund as pal double dipper Joe D looks on". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  12. ^ "The Answer Is No". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  13. ^ Perez-Pena, Richard (January 18, 2011). "Democratic Power Broker in New Jersey Has Governor's Ear". The New York Times. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  14. ^ Dopp, Terrence (June 11, 2013). "Christie Endorsed by N.J. Democratic Leader DiVincenzo". Bloomberg. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  15. ^ Friedman, Matt (June 11, 2013). "Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo endorses Christie". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  16. ^ Hayes, Melissa (October 2, 2014). "Essex County Executive Joseph DiVincenzo faces 16-count complaint on campaign violations". The Record. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  17. ^ Friedman, Matt (October 8, 2013). "DiVincenzo critic wants to know more about his campaign spending". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  18. ^ "DiVincenzo's day in court will come after his election: The Auditor". The Star-Ledger. May 18, 2014. Retrieved 2014-05-21.
  19. ^ Sherman, Ted (July 6, 2014). "NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-28.
  20. ^ "Charges against DiVincenzo over misuse of campaign funds facing dismissal". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  21. ^ "Christie cripples ethics watchdog to help his Democratic pal, DiVincenzo - Moran". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  22. ^ "NJ campaign watchdog vacancy could impact DiVincenzo spending case". Retrieved 3 September 2016.
  23. ^ Lee, Eujrice (September 18, 2013). "Essex Co.'s Joe D leaves his longtime home in Nutley, buys new house in Roseland". The Star-Ledger. Retrieved 2014-05-21.

External links[]

Political offices
Preceded by Executive of Essex County
2003–present 		Incumbent
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