Monmouth Freeholder Accused Of Using Gay Slur: Reports

FREEHOLD, NJ — A Monmouth County freeholder who was censured in December over sexual comments he made to women on the county staff is in trouble again, this time accused of using a gay slur, according to reports.

Freeholder John P. Curley also allegedly tried to physically attack former Freeholder Gary Rich, according to an Asbury Park Press report on the Aug. 22 freeholder meeting.

Freeholder Director Tom Arnone first brought up the issue of the slur at the June 27 freeholder meeting where a proclamation was being read recognizing LBGTQ pride month, according to the blog More Monmouth Musings.

"Deny you said it!" Arnone demands in video of the exchange at the June meeting. Arnone did not specify what the slur was. but called it offensive and said he took it personally because he has a relative who is gay.

At Wednesday's meeting, the Asbury Park Press report said the issue of the slur and the attack on Rich came up after Curley accused the all-Republican board of targeting him with a resolution saying freeholders should not accept health insurance from the county. Curley is the only one who takes health insurance from the county.

Arnone said the incident happened in front of two Monmouth County sheriff's officers. On an Asbury Park Press video from the August meeting, Arnone apologizes to the officers in the meeting room before discussing the incident. Arnone also said Curley had to be "separated" from Rich after attempting to attack Rich in Arnone's office.

Curley was censured in December by the other members of the freeholder board following an investigation into claims by county employees that Curley made sexual comments to them and harassed them. Curley also was temporarily banned from county offices ahead of the censure vote. Curley went to court to stop the censure, and the report on the allegations was ordered to be kept sealed.

But at the December meeting, some of the allegations were included in the censure resolution. Curley filed suit, and in July a federal judge dismissed Curley's suit but also found the county in contempt for releasing elements of the report.

Curley, a Republican, is running as an independent as he seeks re-election to the freeholder board in November. The other four members of the board all are Republicans. Curley was left off the Republican ticket for the election.

You can watch the June 27 exchange below.

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Photo of John P. Curley via Monmouth County website