Ocean Gate Mayor Used Campaign Funds For Personal Benefit: OCPO

OCEAN GATE, NJ — Ocean Gate Mayor Paul Kennedy has been charged with additional counts of official misconduct and theft after an investigation revealed that among other things, Kennedy had used campaign funds for his personal benefit, Ocean County Prosecutor Bradley D. Billhimer announced Wednesday.

Kennedy, 66, was charged with three counts of official misconduct and three counts of theft, Billhimer said. These charges are in addition to the charges of official misconduct and theft Kennedy was previously served in March. Read More: Ocean Gate Mayor Admits To Pocketing Thousands Of Gov't Dollars

As mayor, Kennedy took donations for his and his running mates re-election campaign to "Friends of Ocean Gate" and converted them for his personal benefit, Billhimer said. Also while serving as mayor, Kennedy took cash from the sale of scrap metal in the Borough Recycling Center and kept it for himself instead of giving it to the borough, Billhimer said.

Kennedy, who also worked as a carpenter with the Ocean County Buildings and Grounds Department, made some of the department's employees do construction work at his home on East Lakewood Avenue while they were working during business hours, Billhimer said.

Kennedy was processed this morning at the Ocean County Sheriff's Office and released on a summons pending a future court date. He still continues to serve as mayor of Ocean Gate.

Kennedy was previously charged on March 18 with official misconduct and theft after using government money for his own benefit. Read More: Ocean Gate Mayor Arrested, Charged With Misconduct, Theft

Billhimer acknowledged the Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Professional Standards/Corruption Unit, Ocean County Prosecutor’s Office Economic Crimes Squad, Ocean Gate Police Department and Ocean County Sheriff’s Office for their collaborative efforts in connection with this investigation.