Freeholders Suspend Ocean County Corrections Department Hirings After Kelly Kin Given Job

By PATRICIA A. MILLER (Patch Staff)

Freeholder John P. Kelly has remained silent about the recent appointment of a member of his extended family to a newly-created job that pays $115,000 a year.

The Board of Freeholders recently unanimously approved the appointment of Michael J. Fromsky, 52, Little Egg Harbor -- on Kelly’s recommendation -- to the position of division director in the Ocean County Corrections Department.

But according to the Asbury Park Press, most of the freeholder board did not know of Fromsky’s relationship to Kelly, who is law and public safety liaison, until after they approved his appointment in February.

Fromosky, a retired lieutenant in the New Jersey State Police, is married to Kelly’s stepniece, Deborah Fromosky.

Before he proposed Fromosky for the position, Kelly asked John C. Sahradnik, the freeholder board’s attorney, for an opinion on the any potential conflicts of interest.

According to the Asbury Park Press, Sahradnik told Kelly there was no conflict because Deborah Fromosky is not a legal relative of Kelly’s. Her mother was married to Kelly’s brother, who is deceased. Kelly’s brother -- Fromosky’s stepfather -- never legally adopted Fromosky, so there are no family ties, Ocean County Administrator Carl W. Block told app.com.

Fromosky was slated to start Monday, but has since asked for a postponement, Block said.

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