Did NJ Assemblyman Say He'd Withhold Support For Hoboken Business Alliance?

HOBOKEN, NJ — The head of the Hoboken Business Alliance said at last Wednesday's council meeting that a town official "intimated" in a phone call that local Assemblyman John Allen "would not be supportive" of the group if the group failed to support his wife's appointment to their expanding board.

A 95-second video clip of the exchange was posted by Hudson County View last week.

During Wednesday's Hoboken City Council meeting, the council was set to vote on a preliminary $3.195 million budget for the HBA, a group that supports beautification and safety of the town's business district, including holiday decorations and promotions.

Ultimately, the council voted to introduce the budget 8-1, but the final budget will go to a public hearing and vote next month before it can be adopted.

When the council was set to vote on the budget, Councilwoman Tiffanie Fisher, who has criticized Allen — the former chief of staff to Mayor Ravi Bhalla — asked the director of the HBA about a potentially troubling exchange.

She asked Roxanne Earley, the executive director of the HBA, if Earley got a phone call from either Councilman Phil Cohen — an ally of Allen and Bhalla — or from the city business administrator, telling her that Allen might not financially support the HBA if his wife wasn't added to the board.

Earley first said they were asked to consider all candidates. After another question, she elaborated, saying she did get a call from Councilman Cohen.

She responded, "What was intimated to me was that if Tara Mullins wasn't given a fair shake, it may be difficult for the assemblyman to support the HBA."

Cohen jumped in to say he wasn't on the board when the vote was taken, and the board is all volunteers.

Fisher noted that the Allens have a financial stake in a local bar.

Back in 2021, Fisher and another councilwoman brought to light a different apparent conflict Allen had while he was representing the town's Alcoholic Beverage Control Board for a $15,000 annual stipend. Allen's spokesperson noted this week that he stepped down as the board's attorney two days before the pair made a public information request regarding the matter. They had asked the city's attorney about it earlier that week. READ MORE: Hoboken Responds To Questions On Official's Potential Conflict Of Interest

When asked for a response to the council exchange on Friday, Horowitz didn't respond to Earley's comment. But he said in a statement:

“This is yet another predictable, negative fact-free attack from Councilwoman Fisher, who seems to prioritize demonizing those with whom she disagrees. Assemblyman John Allen supports the Hoboken Business Alliance (HBA) independently of who serves on their Board, and he has no influence over its funding since it is not state-funded.

"Most disgraceful is Councilwoman Fisher’s unwarranted attack on Tara Mullins, a highly respected marketing and communications executive who volunteers her expertise to benefit the HBA and greater Hoboken community. That is the kind of service our elected officials should be encouraging—not pillorying. To insinuate that her value stems from anything other than her professional acumen is not just absurd, it's insulting. Tara’s contributions stand on their own merit."

A little over a month ago, the board expanded from eight to 15 members. Here are the seven new trustees.

The group's previous budget was approved at a meeting in June 2023.

Watch the meeting here.