Return the Cash, Senator Kean

Just last year, Senator Thomas H. Kean Jr. (R-Union) was running as an “ethical reformer” against Bob Menendez (D-Hudson) for the United States Senate. Kean ran a negative campaign, hammering Menendez with allegations of unethical conduct, including accusations about campaign fundraising and donations. Fast-forward less than a year and it is State Senator Kean on the receiving end of tainted campaign contributions.

Earlier this month, Senator Larry Craig (R-Idaho) resigned from the United States Senate after pleading guilty to a misdemeanor disorderly conduct charge when he was arrested for lewd conduct in a public restroom. Craig, an arch-conservative, who has been an outspoken critic of homosexuality, was accused of soliciting gay sex in a public bathroom from an undercover police officer. Craig pleaded guilty but failed to disclose the arrest or his guilty plea to the public. After pressure from prominent Republicans, Senator Craig resigned his seat.

State Senator Thomas H. Kean Jr. collected approximately $10,000 from Senator Craig in December 2005 and September 2006 and has refused to return those donations. Justin Richards, a spokesman for Kean, recently told the media, “The donations we received in December 2005 and September 2006 have been used for expenses during last year's campaign.”

While Mr. Kean can attempt to justify his refusal to return the contributions on the theory that they have already been used for expenses, the argument is a tough sell. Contributions from one or two years ago are usually spent but that has not kept other politicians from returning such contributions. For example, both Senator Lautenberg and Governor Corzine recently agreed to donate hefty contributions from a Democratic fundraiser who pleaded guilty to a felony charge in 1991, which was recently revealed in an article in the Wall Street Journal.

Kean may also argue that his campaign fund is in debt and, therefore, he does not have the money available to return the contributions. While federal records reveal that Kean is owed $130,000 by his campaign, those records also show Kean’s campaign has $47,000 in cash on hand, $37,000 more than the Kean campaign needs to return the contributions. As an heir to the Kean fortune, any cry of poverty by Kean Jr. would not pass the “smell test.”

Tom Kean Jr. should return the $10,000 to Senator Craig or donate the money to charity. To keep the tainted money sends a powerful message that Senator Kean is no “ethical reformer” but rather, an opportunist. Do the right thing and return the cash, Senator Kean.

Michael M. Shapiro, founder of ShapTalk.com, is an attorney who resides in New Providence, New Jersey. He currently serves as the Chairman of the New Providence Democratic Party and as Editor of The Alternative Press Contact Mike at mike@shaptalk.com