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NJ watchdog panel votes to probe complaint over robo-calls

Published  March 19, 2019 1:39pm EDT
U.S.
FOX 29 Philadelphia

TRENTON, N.J. (AP) - New Jersey's legislative commission on ethics will investigate charges brought by Democratic Assembly members that a Republican colleague carried out a robo-call scheme that sucked up public resources.

The Joint Legislative Committee on Ethical Standards voted Tuesday to find probable cause a violation could have occurred.

Democratic Assemblyman Eric Houghtaling and Assemblywoman Joann Downey filed a complaint against Republican Assemblywoman Serena DiMaso stemming from July calls.

The lawmakers say she criticized them over their support for the governor's $37.4 billion budget.

The call showed up on voters' caller ID as coming from the lawmakers' office -- a practice known as spoofing.

They say it led to calls required staff attention, sucking up public resources.

DiMaso denies she spoofed her colleagues.

A violation carries a penalty of up to $10,000.