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Assemblyman DePhillips to introduce articles of impeachment against NJ Labor Commissioner

NEW JERSEY – In addition to being in the hot seat at a Senate committee hearing on Thursday, New Jersey Labor Department Commissioner Robert Asaro-Angelo could soon be out of a job, according to Assemblyman Christopher DePhillips

DePhillips is introducing a resolution to impeach Asaro-Angelo for failing to perform the duties of his office, which contributed to residents’ suffering during the pandemic.

“Enough is enough and it’s time for a change,” said DePhillips (R-Bergen). “Because of his incompetency, lawmakers have essentially turned their offices into satellite unemployment offices. What’s more, when the unemployed find their way to us, they are at their wits’ end and facing utility shutoffs, foreclosure and eviction.”

DePhillips said New Jerseyans shouldn’t be punished for the failings of Asaro-Angelo, who at one point blamed unemployed residents for the delays in processing their claims.

“His statements illustrate his arrogance during one of the worst times in our state’s history,” DePhillips added. “In the beginning of the pandemic, when there were more than a million people out of work, he said 94% of claims had been paid. It turned out that number included one-time payments and people who had received some money, but then had benefits unexpectedly stop. All the smoke and mirrors in the world couldn’t hide the deficiencies at the Labor Department.”

Lawmakers from both sides of the aisle have passed a resolution and introduced legislation demanding that unemployment offices fully reopen to the public for in-person assistance. The commissioner responded by announcing residents having issues with their unemployment claims would be able to get limited, in-person, appointment-only help at a dozen offices around the state starting March 28, DePhillips said.

“The labor commissioner is simply adding insult to injury. Our unemployed residents deserve undivided attention and unlimited in-person help so they can receive the payments they rightfully earned. It is what the Labor Department is supposed to do and since it’s not happening, the commissioner must go,” DePhillips said.

The resolution states that the commissioner violated the public trust and abdicated his responsibilities to reopen state offices, expeditiously pay unemployment claims, and address the unemployment rate.

The state constitution starts the impeachment process in the state Assembly, which has the sole power of impeachment by a majority vote of all members. The proceedings move to the Senate, which is to hold a trial overseen by the chief justice of the state Supreme Court. A two-thirds vote of all the members of the Senate is required to remove the commissioner from office.

 

Jay Edwards

Born and raised in Northwest NJ, Jay has a degree in Communications and has had a life-long interest in local radio and various styles of music. Jay has held numerous jobs over the years such as stunt car driver, bartender, voice-over artist, traffic reporter (award winning), NY Yankee maintenance crewmember and peanut farm worker. His hobbies include mountain climbing, snowmobiling, cooking, performing stand-up comedy and he is an avid squirrel watcher. Jay has been a guest on America’s Morning Headquarters,program on The Weather Channel, and was interviewed by Sam Champion.

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