Manalapan Committeewoman Roth Facing Second Defamation Lawsuit

Manalapan Township has not yet concluded its defense of Committewoman Michelle Roth in one defamation lawsuit, and now she has been named in another complaint filed Sept. 6.

James Stuart, a former mayor of Colts Neck, a certified appraiser and a member of the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board, has filed a civil complaint against Roth in the Monmouth County Superior Court. This information was brought to light during the Sept. 14 Township Committee meeting.

Stuart's complaint comes in response to comments Roth made against him and his role in Manalapan Mayor Andrew Lucas' farmland acquistion. The complaint states that Roth made false statements about Stuart's role during May 11 and June 15  Manalapan Township Committee meetings and did so "with reckless disregard for the truth."

Roth had publicly criticized Stuart's role as a sitting member of the MCADB, suggesting that he exhibited a conflict of interest by helping Lucas fast-track the property. She called it "flipping" the land into the farmland preservation program within nine days. She has suggested that Lucas saw a financial gain from the transaction.

According to the complaint, Stuart completed the appraisal in October 2010, and the property was valued at $844,800.

"There is absolutely no bar on James Stuart, a member of the Monmouth County Agriculture Development Board, performing appraisals on land that the Board will later review and Michelle Roth had full knowledge of same," the complaint states.

The document is separated into four counts of defamation which also name damages to Stuart Appraisal Company. It states that "Stuart's personal reputation has been forever damaged" by Roth's remarks.

Stuart is demanding judgement for defamation, issuance of an injunction restraining Roth from further defamation, cost of suit, damages, punitive damages, "and such further relief as the Court deems just and proper."

Stuart is being represented by attorney Chip Dunne III of Dunne & Associates law firm in Kearny, N.J. According to Township Attorney Roger McLaughlin, the township's insurance provide, if it defends the case, will choose an attorney to represent Roth.

Stuart did not respond to a phone call or e-mail sent Thursday. Roth also chose not to comment, and deferred questions to McLaughlin.

Previously, Lucas defended Stuart during the of the MCADB, calling him a "consummate professional of the highest integrity"  and was sorry that Stuart had come under political fire.

Stuart spoke with Patch immediately after that meeting. He called Roth's comments "politically immature" and said he planned to address her accusations at a later date.

"It is sad but not unexpected that Mrs. Roth will be costing the taxpayers tens of thousands of dollars again for her outrageous defamatory comments that were inappropriate and not pertaining to current township business," wrote Lucas in an e-mail to Patch. "Mrs. Roth has cost the taxpayers of Manalapan over $150,000 in the past five years, and it is time to put an end to it."

Roth had also criticized her former running mate, Committeeman Don Holland who is now a Republican. Roth alleges that he also helped Lucas fast-track the application.

"The residents of Manalapan will probably be paying another $10,000 for Mrs. Roth's political agenda. We have already had to pay the $10,000 fee for a similar case against her by Chief Brown," wrote Holland in an e-mail. 

Holland is referring to Brown v. Roth, a defamation lawsuit that stems from remarks Roth made about former Police Chief Stuart Brown during a televised meeting in September 2009. The suit is ongoing and the township is paying for Roth's legal defense.

The township was also sued by Brown in an age discrimination complaint filed Aug. 2009. That suit was of this year in the amount of $15,000 to be paid by the Garden State Joint Insurance Fund.

"I have stated for months that there were no illegal or unethical conflicts in Mayor Lucas's application, but she chose to try for political advantage by attacking everyone involved in our Farmland Preservation Program," continued Holland. "Maybe she will learn that though justice is blind, it is not stupid. She states, repeatedly, about being transparent; well she certainly is."

Roth has gained political allies in Freeholder Amy Mallet who with Freeholder Lillian Burry about Stuart's role and his objectivity in completing appraisals in the county. Former Manalapan Mayor George Spodak has also at several public meetings.

At Wednesday's meeting, McLaughlin said that the Township's insurance carrier will have to review the claim but that no township funds will be expended until the Committee has learned all the details.