Recall Effort For Accused Bloomfield Councilman Begins

Bloomfield, NJ – A possible recall effort for accused 1st Ward Councilman Elias Chalet has begun.

Indicted last week for allegedly soliciting and accepting a bribe of $15,000 from a business owner, Chalet is now facing a recall effort from local activists and grassroots organization CORRUPT (Citizens Organized to Rapidly Remove Underhanded Political Takers).

• See related article: Bloomfield Councilman Indicted On Bribery Charges

A group of Bloomfield residents filed a notice of intent to recall Chalet with the Township Clerk on Tuesday, NJ.com reported.

The notice reads:

“Due to the bribery allegations, any vote offered by Councilman Chalet will be suspect and therefore, he has become an ineffective member of the Governing Body, disenfranchising First Ward residents.”

• See related article: Bloomfield Protesters Pack City Hall, Criticize Accused Councilman

A recall petition would require signatures from 25 percent of registered voters in the township in order to be placed on the ballot in November, NJ.com stated.

A spokesman for Bloomfield Mayor Michael Venezia reportedly issued a statement to PolitickerNJ:

“Mayor Venezia spoke with Councilman Chalet a few days ago and asked for his resignation. Councilman Chalet indicated that he doesn’t plan on resigning and he plans to fight this case to the end, which of course is his right as an American citizen.”

Sign up for Patch email newsletters here.