GOP: Dems should give back any Lynch money BY VINCENT TODARO Staff Writer EAST BRUNSWICK - Republicans in the township and elsewhere are calling upon Democratic organizations to give back political contributions tied to former state Sen. John Lynch. The move comes after several Democratic legislators from Middlesex County announced they would give back campaign money from Lynch's political action committee, New Directions Through Responsible Leadership. The township's Democratic Organization has received donations from New Directions. Lynch stepped down from heading the committee in May, and in September pleaded guilty to federal charges of corruption. Lynch, of New Brunswick, admitted he took corrupt payments from a sand mining firm while he was lobbying to help it develop Pigeon Swamp Park in South Brunswick. In order to conceal the matter, the money was passed to Lynch through consulting companies. Lynch also pleaded guilty to tax evasion charges. New Directions over the years contributed to numerous Democratic groups and candidates in Middlesex County, including those who ran in East Brunswick two years ago when Mayor William Neary was re-elected. However, East Brunswick Democratic Organization Chairman Shawn Taylor said that, to his knowledge, the party has not received money from New Directions for at least the past year. He said he would look into the issue to find out for certain. "I need to know the details," he said, declining to comment further. Republicans running for Township Council this fall said any money received from New Directions should be given back. Candidate Robert Tagliente mentioned how East Brunswick has a pay-to-play ordinance that requires any illegal contributions to be returned. "In good faith, they should turn it back even if it was not illegal," he said. Democratic Councilwoman Catherine Diem, who is seeking re-election, said her campaign has not received money from New Directions. As for the party returning other funds, she said she would have to look into where the money came from and what the circumstances were. Diem said it would be up to the Democratic Organization to decide whether to return any money, but that if it does, the money should be given to charity. Republican candidate Eugene DeMarzo said he feels Lynch has actually "done a lot of good things in his time," though they may not outweigh his crimes in the public's eye. "I really feel sorry for Mr. Lynch and the predicament he is in right now," he said. He too believes Democrats should return any money from New Directions or risk a negative image. "They should give it to charity or throw it in the garbage," he said. "Whatever they have to do." The acceptance of campaign money from developers and businesses "really puts regular residents at a disadvantage" by influencing policies and decisions, he said. "The money is given to entice something," he said. He noted that Commerce Bank is connected to Lynch and George Norcross, another Democratic Party boss, and that the influence can create other reasons for governing bodies to do business with the bank, as opposed to its rates. New Directions has given money to the Middlesex County Democrats, which funneled it back to the local party, Republican Councilwoman Christi Calvano said, though she was not sure if council campaigns received any money. "Corruption is a problem in the entire state. East Brunswick is not an exception, because the money made its way here too," she said.