FLEMINGTON – The message delivered by three Borough Council members on Monday was clear and direct – Malik Johnston should resign his council seat.
The remarks by Johnston’s fellow Democrats got here after the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace introduced on Friday that a further cost had been filed in opposition to Johnston, who had already been arrested on drug charges in February.
Johnston, often known as Pippin J. Folks, 47, was charged last week with third-degree theft for allegedly withdrawing $1,000 from the bank account of the Flemington Democratic Club earlier this year. Johnston, a former officer of the group, allegedly withdrew the cash on June 2 from the group’s account at a financial institution department in Bridgewater however didn’t have both permission or lawful authority to make it and hold the funds, in accordance to the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace.
Some councilmembers had beforehand referred to as on Johnston to resign, however these calls had been repeated this week.
Johnston’s time period ends on Jan. 31. There are solely 4 scheduled council conferences remaining this yr.
Councilmember Susan Engelhardt mentioned Johnston ought to “do the honorable factor and step apart,” noting that Johnston hasn’t attended conferences or fulfilled his liaison duties.
“The council has been held hostage since February,” she mentioned. “5 folks have been doing the work of six folks.”
Engelhardt mentioned Johnston’s authorized issues have been “a distraction to our mission” and elected officers “must be held to a better customary.”
Native: Will redevelopment derail historic Black River & Western Railroad in Hunterdon?
Councilmember Elizabeth Rosetti additionally mentioned that Johnston was a distraction and will “do the fitting factor” and resign.
Rosetti, who mentioned she was “saddened and angered” by the information of the most important cost in opposition to Johnston, mentioned Flemington residents and elected officers “deserve higher.”
Council President Jeremy Lengthy echoed the feedback made by Engelhardt and Rosetti.
“It is time we mentioned sufficient is sufficient,” he mentioned.
Lengthy warned that Johnston’s issues had been having an impression the borough.
“When belief is damaged, your complete system is harmed,” he mentioned.
Johnston, serving his first time period on the Flemington Borough Council, was first arrested in February following a joint investigation by the Hunterdon County Prosecutor’s Workplace’s Narcotics Job Power and the Flemington Borough Police Division.
He has been indicted on two counts of third-degree possession of cocaine, two counts of third-degree possession of methamphetamine, second-degree distribution of cocaine, second-degree distribution of methamphetamine, second-degree possession with intent to distribute cocaine, and second-degree possession with intent to distribute methamphetamine.
E mail: [email protected]
Mike Deak is a reporter for mycentraljersey.com. To get limitless entry to his articles on Somerset and Hunterdon counties, please subscribe or activate your digital account at present.
This text initially appeared on MyCentralJersey.com: Flemington NJ councilman’s fellow Democrats call on him to resign
